A DISABLED Teignmouth pensioner is living in misery as rain water is pouring in through holes in her ceiling.

Janet Roper, 86, is virtually housebound and lives alone but has to cope with water coming into her living room.

The property in Teign View Place has been affected by the ingress for more than a year.

She blames work carried out in 2012 by the Environment Agency to bolster the town’s sea defences on the Back Beach, onto which her home faces, for the damage.

At times water also comes in from under her patio doors.

Work was carried out on the homes to strengthen them as the sea defences were erected.

This included new flashing and rebuilt patios.

She told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: ‘It’s been fine for years but since October last year, heavy rain is coming in through three holes in the ceiling where the flashing has worn out. I’ve been ill and under a lot of stress.

‘I am  having to contend with holes appearing in my ceiling and rain leaking into my living room  and am now concerned that it could very easily collapse.

‘I have been in communication with the Environment Agency on numerous occasions but although they have visited and made promises that work will be carried out yet nothing has happened.

‘One night, due to the heavy rain, I spent all the time trying to mop it up to stop it ruining my carpet but to no avail.

‘I am a severely disabled 86 year old living alone and this problem is now affecting my physical and mental wellbeing and I urgently need help to get this matter sorted.

‘I understand the money is available to carry out remedial work but Covid is being used as a get out clause. I am not physically able to cope with it.’

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: ‘We apologise for the distress caused to Ms Roper by damp issues and water leaks at her property in Teignmouth.

‘As a priority we are in the process of getting funding agreed for the urgent replacement of lead flashing and repairs to the patio doors. 

‘In the meantime our contractors will be visiting Ms Roper’s property later this week to determine what temporary repairs can be carried out as soon as possible.’