A disgruntled council house tenant was left in shock, following the delivery of a fireplace which looked 'like it had come out of a skip.'

Mike Scott who lives in Park South said he ordered a new fireplace in 2019 just before the pandemic.

This was to get the fireplace changed from a gas to an electric one with the house also being fitted with central heating.

However, little progress has been made in the period since the order was made, with electricians saying they couldn’t do the work for numerous reasons.

Mike said: “Two months ago they bricked up the fireplace, something they should have done years ago.

“They said the electrician is coming round, I took the day off but no electrician turned up.”

The council rearranged for the electrician to come round, but this time no one turned up as he had no fireplace.

A new fireplace did arrive but was all 'scratched and damaged.' 

"It’s like they dragged it out of the storeroom somewhere,” explained Mike.

“I’m feeling let down, I pay full rent and I pay £500 in advance, my council tax is paid until the end of the year.

“My wife is 64, she’s sat at home and has CLPD, we’ve got to try and keep warm.”

The resident who has lived at his property for 30 years criticised the council for failing to undertake an assessment of the front room before deciding to try and fit the fireplace.

“I seem to be hitting my head against the brick wall, when we rang up in January they said it was to do with Brexit and the pandemic.

“It seems to be excuse after excuse. A couple of weeks ago these electricians turned up, they didn’t have a fire, and they didn’t even know why they had turned up.

“The council workers had been sent to my house, but they didn’t know why.”

A council spokesperson said: “Mr Scott is on our repairs list to have his fire replaced. But we have not been able to carry out this work due to a backlog of non-essential repairs caused by the pandemic.

“As he has central heating at his home, the installation of a fireplace is not deemed urgent.

“We will continue to discuss the situation with Mr Scott directly, rather than through the media.”