A MARYPORT couple in their 80's have been left without central heating for almost a week, as temperatures in the county plummetted over the weekend.

Claire and George Hoey, who live on Gilmour Street in the town found that there boiler had broken last Thursday, December 8.

The couple informed daughter in law Brenda Hoey, who lives 20 miles away in Egremont- Brenda phoned the Riverside Housing helpline straight away but could not through to the call centre, having spent periods of time on hold for up to two hours, until early evening the day after. 

A technician arrived at the home at 12pm that evening December, 9 however told the couple that he didnt have the right part and so 'couldn't fix it'.

Mr and Mrs Hoey were left two small heaters and on Monday a £50 food voucher,but are still waiting for the problem with their boiler to be resolved.

Brenda said: "It is just not good enough, my mother and father in law are sitting there, they are having to wear hats and scarves in the house, they are freezing cold.

"She (Claire) has got osteoparosis, COPD, it playing absolute havoc with her chest."

"Enough is enough, it has been six days now and this is making her ill."

The couple have got no hot water or central heating, with Brenda saying that the issue is having a 'real impact' on the pensioners lives.

Brenda said: "It is really impacting on their lives, she has now started with a cough and if that gets on her chest with her COPD that can be really damaging.

"She phoned me last night and was absolutely breaking her heart.

"The housing officer don't get me wrong she was all sympathetic on Friday night but nothing has been done since- surely they can't not have any of the parts at all." 

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Carl Mitchell, Riverside’s Head of Social Housing in the North, said: “I’d like to sincerely apologise to Mr and Mrs Hoey for the problems they have experienced in contacting us and for the delay in resolving the problem.

"One of my housing officers has been out to see them to check on their welfare and ensure they were provided with a temporary heater as well as energy and grocery vouchers to support them at this difficult time.

“Our contractors are now waiting on the delivery of a part which will allow us to provide a permanent fix and as soon as we have that, we will ensure the work is done as a matter of urgency.

“The onset of very cold weather does unfortunately lead to an increase in boilers breaking down and we’re currently experiencing extremely high demand which is impacting on both our call centre and repairs services. We are working hard to meet that demand as best we can, whilst supporting any customers affected.”

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