A PENSIONER said he has been ‘failed’ by a company after he was left without hot water for almost two weeks.

Jeremy Elliott, 82, said he has had a constant battle to contact people who could help him after his hot water tank broke on October 13.

Mr Elliott, of Charminster, said the situation is starting to make him feel ‘desperate.’ “I noticed water leaking into some cupboards which I don’t normally use.

“I rang British Gas, and initially they were very good and got a plumber out to me that afternoon,” he said.

The plumber discovered a leak in the water tank which supplies Mr Elliott’s hot water.

The tank was turned off and a replacement was promised within a week, Mr Elliott said.

He added: “When a week passed and I hadn’t heard from them, I started calling. They repeatedly said they would ring me back but then they never did. Their service was just appalling.”

Last Wednesday Mr Elliott was told his replacement tank would be delivered and installed this coming Thursday.

But when he rang later to confirm the date, he was told by staff that they did not know if that would be the case.

British Gas accepted that there had been an ‘unacceptable delay’ in fixing the problem.

Mr Elliott added: “I’m now getting a bit desperate.

“Luckily my electricity and heating is not affected but I have had to boil water in the kettle in order to have a wash.

“I haven’t been able to have a bath. I’m 82 and a widower. It’s not a nice situation to be in at all.

“I am paying for a service and they are failing to provide it.”

Catrin Millar of British Gas, said: “I am very sorry that there was an unacceptable delay in fixing Mr Elliott’s hot water.

“We should have dealt with this straight away.

“We have called him to apologise for the inconvenience caused and for the delay as we awaited arrival of the part needed to fix the problem. We have arranged to visit Mr Elliott and carry out the repair today. We’ll also be offering him a gesture of goodwill.”