A FURIOUS pensioner has slammed the council for taking 18 months to repair a dangerous leak in his kitchen.

George Nelson bombarded Blackburn Council's housing department with complaints.

After phone calls they eventually sent round a plumber who took three minutes to carry out the work.

to complain because water from a toilet overflow pipe in the flat above George's in Springbank Terrace, Mill Hill, was running down his kitchen wall into an electricity box and plug sockets.

"The council kept fobbing me off," said George, 67. "They're just a waste of time. The wallpaper is hanging off everywhere and now there's black mildew all over my kitchen ceiling. I was scared to use any electricity because the circuit box was so wet.

"I would never have moved here if I thought I was going to be treated like this."

What was meant to be a dream move for George turned into his worst nightmare. He was allocated his own council flat after living with his sister for several years and secured a grant to have it fully re-decorated.

The council eventually sent round a plumber three weeks ago but blamed an uncooperative tenant for the delay.

"We accept that 18 months is far too long to have to wait for these repairs and we apologise to Mr Nelson," said chief housing manager, Ian Bell. "We had great difficulty getting into the flat above Mr Nelson where the water was coming from. An inspector has since visited the site and we will give Mr Nelson priority on any further repairs."

An inspector assessed the damage which requires plastering and and more decorating which is expected to be completed within the next six weeks.

Grot spot - George shows some of the damage caused to his kitchen walls.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.