Work starts at last to get rid of damp at 94-year-old Otley pensioner's home (From Ilkley Gazette)

Work starts at last to get rid of damp at 94-year-old Otley pensioner's home

9:35am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

Work to sort out a three year-long damp problem at a 94-year-old’s home in Otley is finally under way.

Lillian Todd has been living in “horrendous” conditions since 2010, despite repeated attempts to get help, with damp so bad her bedroom walls and sheets are covered in mildew.

West North West Homes Leeds, which manages Mrs Todd’s sheltered flat at Adams Croft, apologised last week and promised swift action.

Scaffolding has now gone up at the property as workmen seek to find the source of the damp – which they believe is in the roof – and correct it.

Mrs Todd, left, who suffers from bronchitis and arthritis, said: “They’ve finally made a start and there’s scaffolding up, which is good, but we’ll see. Let’s see how they get on.”

Another long-standing problem at her home, however, involving her back door security light, has just been made worse.

The light had been left hanging down on its own from a long flex after workmen visited some time ago to remove the ceiling, which contained asbestos, but didn’t replace it.

Last week the light was temporarily removed so the new ceiling could be put in, but as that is still to happen, Mrs Todd has been left without her security light for the past seven nights.