WALTHAM Forest Council leader Clyde Loakes has apologised to an elderly woman who was left without heating for three days.

Tina Collins reported her 79-year-old mother's broken heating to her landlord, Ascham Homes, on Saturday, but was told her mum would have to wait because it was not considered a priority by the council.

Mrs Collins was shocked, especially as her Mother, Clare Barrett, of Forest Road, Walthamstow, has been suffering from a cold and chest infection, and has also been getting forgetful over the past three months.

She said: “I think it’s absolutely disgraceful. If I hadn’t have been here my mum would have been frozen stiff by now.

"I know we don’t care much for our old people in this country but this is despicable.”

But Cllr Loakes has now apologised for any "distress or inconvenience caused".

He said: "To leave an elderly tenant with no heating over a cold weekend is unacceptable and I apologise unreservedly.

“When Mrs Barrett’s daughter spoke to the out of hours service on Saturday, she should have been offered temporary heating units until it was possible to make a repair.

"We are sorry that this did not happen, and will ensure in future that all vulnerable tenants whose heating breaks down are automatically offered temporary heating.

“I can confirm that Mrs Barrett’s heating was repaired promptly on Monday, and hope that Mrs Barrett and her daughter are satisfied with the repairs."