Christians are taught that God created the universe in six days before resting on the seventh.

The process may have been more time-consuming if he also had to install public lavatories.

Parishioners at All Saints Church in Carshalton are losing faith in Thames Water after waiting four months for the firm to connect two new toilets.

The church, which apparently dates from the 12th century and is listed in the Domesday Book, lavished more than £100,000 on the amenities to bring relief to elderly visitors.

But despite having cashed a cheque for £6,700 in the summer, Thames Water has still to begin work on connecting the lavatories to sewage pipes in Church Hill.

Wardens are deeply unhappy after assuring Open House London that the toilets would be flushing in time for heritage open days in mid-September. They are now considering referring the case to the industry regulator Ofwat.

Church warden Christine Lindsay said: "The contractors have contacted Thames Water on a weekly basis but to no avail - they will not provide any further information as to when the connection will be made.

"The contractor is prohibited by law to make it, so we are stuck.

"With the colder weather, the congregation can wait no longer - we need toilets and we need them now."

This week Thames Water finally apologised for the "unacceptable delay", saying an engineer would be contacting All Saints to confirm a work schedule.

A spokesman said there were difficulties because the sewers traverse a Transport for London route but accepted this was not an excuse.

"The delay is due to a combination of factors which we should have resolved much quicker. Action is being taken to ensure this does not happen again."