Numerous vulnerable people face bills up to £72,000 to remove botched cavity wall insulation (CWI) that turned their homes damp and mouldy.

The victims say they feel "totally let down" by the 25-year guarantees that were supposed to protect them should the CWI fitted under government-backed green energy schemes fail.

Janice Sutcliffe (77) had CWI installed in 2014 in her terraced home, and despite it failing, she can only claim £751 to have it removed. It is also despite extraction costing £42,000 to £72,000.

"The guarantee wouldn't even cover the redecorating, even if I did it myself.

"I feel let down by a company that said their product was far superior to any other, and the Government approved it. I feel used."

Many homeowners add that they cannot use their 25-year warranty to remove the insulation. It is because the installers have closed down, and the guarantee agencies blame the damp and mould on homeowners' lifestyle choices or claim they have voided their warranties by conducting maintenance work.

Ben Hartley can claim up to £4,212.78 but faces extraction costs of more than £60,000. Another homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, can claim just over £4,000 but must fork out at least £56,000.

Many residents now have crushing debts after turning to firms like Pure Legal and SSB Law to claim compensation on a supposed no-win, no-basis in the hopes of returning their homes to their original condition.

But after SSB Law collapsed in January, Janice has a nearly £26,000 bill and a £10,000 charge on her property.

"It's making me ill because I'm worried about this bill and charge on my property.

"It needs to be put right. It's the Government's responsibility to get this sorted. They have put thousands of pounds into these companies."