AN ELDERLY woman has been left without a working toilet for six weeks, having to use a bucket as a “make-shift flusher”.

Audrey Henri, from Rayleigh, has been without a fully-functioning toilet since June 20, and was initially told to expect a further 28 day wait for repairs.

The 71-year-old, who lives at Britton Court Sheltered Housing, claims to have even been told to use the toilets in reception as an alternative, despite living upstairs and wanting to avoid the trek in the middle of the night.

However, after being contacted by the Echo, a contractor has now been booked to carry out the repairs this morning.

Audrey said: “The toilet broke, so I phoned Sanctuary Housing who sent someone out.

“The contractor took photos and said I’d be hearing from them, but time went on and I hadn’t heard back.

“I again phoned and they said leave it with me, we will get in touch with the team. They were waiting for a part apparently.

“I hadn’t heard anything until last Wednesday, when I got a call in the afternoon from the contractor to say they would be round the following day. But I couldn’t do that, my daughter is a carer and I was meant to be looking after her kids.

“I said you need to give me some notice, and offered to make myself available for the Friday. I also suggested the Thursday after 4pm, both times they couldn’t do.

“Even when I arrived home early on the Thursday at 2.30pm and asked if they were still available, they weren’t.”

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Audrey, who has lived there for five years, was told there would be a four-week waiting list after “missing her appointment”.

She added: “I’d already waited six weeks, and was told I’d be waiting another month. They just sprung it on me without notice, when I could’ve made arrangements.

“I’m in sheltered accommodation where most people use walking frames, so how do you expect them to carry a bowl or bucket of water with them each time?

"It's disgusting, I've also been having to do my teeth in the kitchen where there's no cold water in the bathroom.

"I was asked if there were any other toilets in the building which I could use - there are two in reception but I'm all the way upstairs."

A spokesman from Sanctuary Housing, said: “We can confirm we have arranged for an alternative contractor to carry out the repairs this morning.

"We share our tenant’s frustration about the time it has taken for this situation to be resolved and are very sorry for the inconvenience she has been caused.”