A GRANDMOTHER-of-two who broke both her arms after tripping on a loose paving slab says pavements in Wanstead are STILL dangerous nearly a year later.

Cynthia Saggers, 76, was only signed off from treatment at Whipps Cross University Hospital last week after undergoing months of rehabilitation to recover from the accident last Autumn.

The widow, who fell while walking near her home in Cambridge Park, said she has 'lost' a year of her life as a result of the fall, and fears another elderly person could suffer the same fate unless the streets are made safer.

Her concerns are borne out by figures revealed by the Guardian in March which show that one in three paving stones in Redbridge are in need of repair - one of the highest proportions in London.

She said: "You only have to look at the broken paving stones at the entrance to my block of flats to see that they've not fixed anything.

"I don't know whether I should say this, but I'm really p***** off about it.

"The pavements around here are in a bad state, and yet the council hasn't done anything about it.

"I had to have an operation to free a trapped nerve in my arm, and have not played bowls since the accident."

Mrs Saggers said she has received no apology or compensation from the council for the fall - which she blames on poor maintenance standards.

She said: "The council hasn't even said sorry which makes me angry.

"I've contacted no win no fee solicitors to try and sue, but they all say that I wouldn't get enough out of the council for it to be worth their while.

"I feel a bit let down."

Valerie Sayers, or the Wanstead Society, said residents wanted to see the paving stones fixed - rather than replaced with the cheaper option of tarmac, as feared.

"We've heard rumour than they are going to Tarmac the pavements because it's cheaper.

"The current paving stones are in a bad state, and it's not just elderly people who trip on them so something has to be done.

"But none of us want Tarmac."

The council has yet to comment.