As the PM prepares to leave No10, it's a busy time for the decorators at his new home

There is only a week to go until the Blair family quits Downing Street but, as these pictures show, their new home is still not ready for them.

The outgoing Prime Minister has hired a small army of plasterers, painters, glaziers, electricians and plumbers to make sure the Georgian townhouse in Connaught Square, near Marble Arch, is habitable in time.

But the terrace house - work on which has been criticised by some neighbours - is still covered in scaffolding and sheeting.

On the ground floor, painters are sanding the indoor shutters, skirtingboard and doors in preparation for painting.

Bathroom fittings are being put in place and light fittings and lampshades have not yet been installed.

One worker said: "We've been told the Blairs are moving in next week, so everything really has to be ready by then.

"That's why there are so many people working on the house, putting all the finishing touches."

Tony and Cherie Blair bought the Grade II-listed house in 2004 for £3.6million, although estate agents have said that even in London's booming property market prices in the area have lagged well behind the capital's hot spots.

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After renting out the house for half of the £4,000 a week they had hoped to charge, the couple bought a mews building at the rear for £800,000.

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Builders have been knocking through the smaller property's walls to join it to the main house.

Residents were furious when the Blairs submitted plans for a roof garden and solar panels to Westminster council.

One called the panels a "fashion accessory" and suggested the Blairs were given preferential treatment after similar proposals for neighbouring properties were turned down.

Property developer John Larkey, who lives next door, claimed noise from the children's bedrooms on the upper floors would be "disruptive" and the smell from any barbecues on the family's roof terrace would cause a " nuisance".

Residents also objected to CCTV cameras, saying they were "completely inappropriate on the fine front elevation".

There was further anger when it was reported that security officers wanted to close Connaught Square to traffic in front of the five-storey house and build gatehouses at each end of the road.

Still, the Blairs can draw comfort from one fact - the builders are impressed with the way the house is going to look.

One said: "It looks really amazing inside. It's being refurbished and redecorated to a high standard and it's going to be a lovely family home."