A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND man who needs round-the-clock care has been left without central heating in his council house for three months.

Tony Stamford, 60, was born with cerebral palsy which means he cannot walk and relies on a carer to do nearly everything for him. He also suffers from diabetes and is partially deaf.

Yet he has been left with no gas heating in his Basildon Council-owned bungalow, in Rectory Gardens, Basildon, since his boiler stopped working in September.

Despite the harsh weather, St Georges Community Housing, which manages the council’s homes, has told him not to expect a new boiler until February because of delays it has blamed on National Grid.

In the meantime, Tony is trying to stay upbeat and is surviving with three electric heaters – one in his sitting room, one in his bedroom and the other in his carer’s room.

He said: “I have to get very close to the heater to keep warm. I have to leave them on all the time. I quite often have to wear my coat inside just to stay warm.”

Mr Stamford also gets some hot water from an electric shower, but none from his taps. He added: “I’m also very concerned about the bills. St Georges told me they’d pay for the heaters, but I’ve had nothing in writing.”

Mum Joan Stamford, 84, who lives in Dovercourt, Harwich, said: “I’m worried about Tony getting so cold. I’m afraid he might give himself a heart attack because he’s worrying so much.

“I think it’s disgusting St Georges have put someone vulnerable like him in a place with no heating and hot water.”

James Henderson, property services manager at St Georges, said: “Mr Stamford had his property refurbished and adapted prior to him moving in to meet his needs.

“A new gas central heating system was also installed at this time, only to find the gas mains supply was incorrect and needed to be replaced.

“We contacted National Grid immediately and submitted all the necessary paperwork. However, despite our continued efforts, we are still waiting for confirmation of a date from National Grid for survey and installation.”

Mr Henderson also said St Georges would pay Mr Stamford £3 a day towards the cost of running the heaters, excluding the first two days they were on.

Antony Quarrell, National Grid spokesman, said engineers would be visiting Mr Stamford on January 29.