A sick and frail 87-year-old says her health has improved and a “weight has been lifted off her shoulders” afterrepairs were made to her mouldy bathroom.
At the beginning of July, the Lincolnshire Free Press featured the story of Joyce Pitts, of Farrow Drive, Holbeach, whose bathroom was covered in mould, had a rusty grab rail and a shower that spouted either freezing cold or boiling hot water.
Friend Christine Crane, who lives close to Joyce’s sheltered bungalow, said she had been fighting for more than nine months to get repairs done by South Holland District Council and because the delays had been making Joyce’s health worse.
But, on the day the Lincolnshire Free Press came out Joyce’s shower was fixed and Christine said since then the mould has also been covered over.
She said: “We had a phone call the day after the council was contacted by the Lincolnshire Free Press to say they were coming to fix it and that happened on the day the paper came out.
“Joyce now has a new shower, hand rail, the ceiling’s all been done and she has a new hand basin.
“It’s all down to the Lincolnshire Free Press getting involved and Joyce is over the moon.
“Her health is a lot better because it’s a great weight off her shoulders and because she’s not living in all that mould.
“Now she can have a shower and feels a lot safer, and we had a visit from a councillor to say we can go to her if we have any more problems.
“I’m just hoping they have solved the problem rather than just covering it up.”
A spokesman for South Holland District Council said Mrs Pitt’s bathroom problems had been brought to the attention of Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for Housing Landlord.
She said: “We were addressing some of these issues before the council was contacted by the Lincolnshire Free Press and the work had already been scheduled.
“We regret that there was delay in getting the job done due to some leave and that it caused some difficulties for Mrs Pitts, but we’re pleased that everything is now resolved.”