A ELDERLY woman has claims she has suffered years of repeated flooding at her home because council housing managers have failed to act.

Jean Parker, 78, an Ascham Homes tenant, of Beresford Road, Chingford, says water regularly leaks in from the gutter through her linen cupboard.

Despite her home becoming waterlogged after a recent downpoor, she claims she was told no-one could deal with the problem for three days.

Ms Parker said she was told that the dealys was because a worker was not well.

“Everything's all covered in mildew now,” Mrs Parker said.

“It happens whenever it rains heavily. It happened on June 15 as well and I had to have three machines in to dry the carpet.

“It's all coming from this cupboard.”

She added that although workers are usually sent to help dry out her carpets and belongings, the problem with the overflowing gutter has not been addressed. “Everything was dripping wet – all my sheets and towels, as well as the carpet,” Mrs Parker said.

She said the most recent flood was the fourth in three years and that moss growing in the gutter was blocking it, causing it to overflow.

“It should be cleared three times a year,” Mrs Parker said.

“They said there should be a new gutter but I didn't hear any more about it.”

The Guardian is awaiting a response from Ascham Homes.