A GROUP of exasperated residents on Winsford's Over Estate have hit out at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, claiming that refurbishment works to their homes have made life a nightmare.

The council is spending around £1million on new central heating and double glazing in more than 400 properties to replace old-fashioned warm air systems.

But Eleanor Feterston and her daughter Shirley say houses such as theirs in Denbigh Drive have been left without water and electricity for days at a time, causing havoc for both young families and elderly residents on the estate.

Shirley said: "It's just a nightmare. We are still waiting for the letters from the housing trust to tell us that they are coming out to do the work.

"We were told that if you did not have them and refused the new heating system, then in the future you would be responsible for your own repairs.

"Nobody seems interested in our problems. We have telephoned both Weaver Vale and the contractors carrying out the work without any success."

Weaver Vale has countered by saying that it was inevitable 'teething problems' would occur with such a big scheme.

Paul Newman, property investment manager, said: "The contractors have apologised and assured us that they will be doing their utmost to ensure that everything is put right, without delay.

"We have visited tenants in Denbigh Drive today to inform them about what is happening and we hope that we can minimise any inconvenience or disruption that has been caused by the contractors.

"If they experience any problems in the future, we would ask them to get in touch with Weaver Vale Housing Trust so that we can rectify matters at the first available opportunity.

"Householders will be contacted by the contractor shortly to arrange a suitable time to complete any outstanding works."

Over councillor and Weaver Vale board member Tony Hooton said yesterday that he had had some irate telephone calls from Denbigh Drive residents and would be meeting with those affected to come up with a solution.

rfraser@guardiangrp.co.uk