Boiler crisis puts elderly in the cold

Maisie Inkpin, 80, and her husband Alfred, 85, have been forced to wrap up in blankets to keep warm and boil a kettle when they want to have a bath or wash up.

The couple are among 142 residents of Leach Court in Park Street and Patching Lodge in Freshfield Road, Brighton, who have been without heating or hot water since last Wednesday.

The boiler which served the two blocks of sheltered housing, run by Brighton and Hove City Council, broke down and was taken away to be fixed.

Residents have no idea when warmth will be restored to their homes.

Mrs Inkpin, a retired civil servant, has lived in Leach Court for 31 years.

She said: "It has just been so cold. This building used to be lovely and warm but since the boiler has broken down, everywhere feels damp and cold.

"It's like going back to the Dark Ages. We can't have a bath or do the dishes without using the kettle. I haven't had to do that since I was a little girl.

"My husband is very ill - six days is a long time when you are very cold.

"The council has said we can borrow an electric fire but there's no point. It only warms up one room and it's expensive. If we are in the sitting room we just cover ourselves in blankets."

Lesley Day, the couple's daughter, said: "It's freezing and it will get worse as the days get colder. It's okay if you are young but my parents are elderly and normally have their heating on almost all the time.

"I'm really concerned about my father because he is quite ill and this isn't helping. Something has got to be done."

A council spokesman said temporary boilers were due to be delivered tomorrow and should be heating the homes by Friday.

Permanent replacement boilers are being shipped from abroad but he could not say when they would arrive. In the meantime, residents have been offered temporary heaters.

He added: "It is unfortunate that all three boilers have broken down at the same time and the council apologises for the inconvenience caused to residents."