A grateful Welwyn Garden City family tearfully thanked a large team of volunteer tradespeople this morning, as they saw how their home had been transformed for a popular television programme.

After nine days away, Andrew and Sascha Koutrouza returned to their home, which now has a rear extension thanks to the BBC programme DIY SOS.

The extension will enable Sascha to have kidney dialysis at home, rather than having to travel to hospital four times a week, helping her spend more time with her four children.

Well over 100 traders and suppliers, mostly from the Welwyn Hatfield area, have helped the project by working or providing materials free.

For a full illustrated report, see next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, on sale from Wednesday.