A woman says she feels alone and isolated because postmen have been steering clear of her address.

Jean Hopkins, of Marine Parade, Brighton, said she has not received any post since before Christmas and the strain was affecting her health.

Ms Hopkins went abroad for a few weeks in December while Brighton Housing Trust carried out work on her block of flats.

During that time, her mail was redirected to the trust.

But since returning after work was finished on her home at the end of December, Ms Hopkins has still not received any mail, despite knowing at least two packages have been sent.

The 52-year-old said: "The Royal Mail seems to think this is still a building site. I have been sent post but it has gone missing.

"I rang the Post Office to check if it had anything for me because I know someone sent me something a week ago last Friday.

"NTL was also supposed to send me a videotape but I have not received anything in three weeks."

She said she was expecting a few bills and was concerned that she could be cut off by utility companies for not paying.

But she added: "The worry is more psychological than anything. If I do not get mail, I feel completely isolated. It is also affecting my health."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: "Ms Hopkins had a redirection for her address that expired on December 26.

"After the redirection, we still felt the building was unsafe for us to go there.

"We had nowhere to deliver the mail but she only had two items arrive in this time and they were returned to their senders with a note saying we were unable to deliver to that address.

"On Wednesday, the postman went back to the site. He said he could gain access to the building and it was safe for our employees again.

"We apologise for the inconvenience she and other residents might have had but safety for our employees is paramount."