VIBRATIONS caused by builders constructing a new giant supermarket in Pontypool damaged a house, a furious resident claimed.

Stephen Casey, 51, of St James Field, has sought legal advice and is also having a structural survey done after cracks appeared in his kitchen wall.

He said they were caused by trembles from the Tesco Extra site. "The work had made a tremendous noise. The house shook like mad," he said.

"Radiators and windows rattled and glasses were smashed. Then I discovered two small cracks above the kitchen door. I went up and told them to stop."

Neighbour Jean Evans also felt the vibrations. "It started at 7.30am and all the windows were shaking and there was lots of vibration," she said.

Steve Bannon, project manager from Taylor Woodrow, said work stopped for a number of hours after the complaints, and said he was unaware that Mr Casey planned on seeking legal advice.

Mr Bannon visited Mr Casey at home when he complained about the noise and vibrations.

There were two "hairline cracks", and Mr Bannon claimed Mr Casey said he would "paint over them".

Mr Bannon claimed no long-term damage was done. "There are no structural problems with houses and work is continuing as normal," he said

"We have a good relationship with local people and liaise with them quite well. Unfortunately, certain activities will disturb people but we work hard to minimise disruption."

Taylor Woodrow sent flowers to Mr Casey and two other neighbours, with a card that read: "Sorry for any inconvenience from the construction work. Taylor Woodrow."

Mr Casey thought the goodwill gesture was "a bit strange", and another neighbour, who would not be named, said: "They should have sent money - the noise was appalling."

A spokesman for Tesco said: "If Mr Casey wants to look into it legally, that's obviously his right.

"We have to wait and hear what the upshot of that is."