A WINSFORD family have been left without central heating for over a week - as the council is unable to carry out repairs.

Kevin Kelsall had an annual gas safety check on his home, in Bentley Grove, on Monday, October 4.

A problem was found with the boiler - but it could not be fixed immediately and so the appliance was disconnected.

The next morning Mr Kelsall found a leak which he himself fixed before calling the council who replied with a letter saying the work would be done no later than October 18.

Mr Kelsall, who has three children aged five, 11 and 13, said: "We can't be expected to be without heating for two weeks. It is absolutely ridiculous that work cannot be done that would take an hour at the most. I phoned the council and they have now said the work will be done on Thursday, October 14 which means we will have had no heating for nine days."

Mr Hignett from the council's housing department explained: "We have to disconnect a faulty appliance by law. It then takes time to order parts and engineers have prior commitments. We always endeavour to fix problems as soon as possible and if Mr Kelsall's boiler could be fixed any earlier it would be."

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