A GROUP of vulnerable York householders today called for urgent action after being left without proper heating three times since Christmas.

The six residents, who live in bungalows off Calf Close, in Haxby, have spent periods of up to 24 hours without heating during winter conditions.

They say despite complaining to gas company Transco they have not been able to make any progress.

Edith Popeley, 68, said: "We have no heating and we cannot do any washing. All we can do is boil the kettle and that is at our own risk.

"Something must be done about it, we are all fed up."

Ted Hodgson, 73, said the gas had been on and off throughout the ten-year period he had lived in his bungalow.

He said: "It used to happen about once a year, but as the years have gone on it happens more and more.

"Last time it happened, it went off for 24 hours and we had no heating in the house.

"We have complained to everybody there is, but we have not been able to get anywhere with it."

Jenny Garner, 54, said: "We have got water in the pipes. We have been here nearly four years and it happens as soon as we get a bit of water.

"Last year, they put cameras down the pipes but said it was all right.

"In this weather it cannot be done. We are all old or infirm, but nobody seems to be bothered about it."

The bungalows are owned by Yorkshire Housing. Geoff Hill, the gas safety manager from the company, said he shared the residents' frustration. He said: "We have been aware of this ongoing problem for two years and during that time have had many contacts with Transco on behalf of our customers.

"The problem is directly related to Transco's pipe work and not the heating systems in our homes.

"As such we are at the mercy of Transco in awaiting a permanent resolution to this problem."

Mr Hill said work had been carried out in the summer, but the problem had since returned.

He said: "We are pleased that our customers, through the Evening Press, are able to help us draw attention to this frustrating and unsatisfactory situation."

Carlene Golightly from energywatch, the consumer watchdog, said: "It is appalling that elderly people have to put up with this.

"We are delighted that two have made formal complaints and would encourage the others to do the same."

A spokesman for Transco said they would investigate the matter.

He said: "We are carrying out an investigation into the gas main and are continuing to pump out the water.

"We will be using cameras and other equipment to determine how the water is coming into the network."

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, February 10, 2004