THE chief executive of a housing company today apologised to a 77-year-old woman who has lived with a stench-ridden bathroom for weeks.

Hilda Walmsley, of Swift Close, Larkhill, Blackburn, said the stomach-churning problem, caused by a leak from the flat above hers, makes her feel sick to be in her own home.

The walls of Hilda's bathroom are brown and furry after a slow leak from the bath in the above flat seeped down over a period of time.

Hilda said the problem has been on-going for two months but it has yet to be fixed.

She said: "I can see all this horrible stuff coming down. It makes me feel sick.

"The roof is caving in and there is a horrible smell.

"The last time I rang Twin Valley they said the inspector had gone on holiday for a week but I can't live with it like this any longer."

Twin Valley Homes workers have visited Hilda's first-floor flat three times since she first complained and the plumbing problem has been fixed.

A plasterer, who will cover over the brown patches which have grown on her bathroom wall, is to visit Hilda's home on Tuesday next week.

She said: "It still hasn't been fixed. I can't live like this at my age."

Hilda is recovering from having broken her leg in a fall late last year.

Phil Richards, chief executive of Twin Valley Homes, said: "A slow leak from behind the bath panel in the flat above has, over a period of time, seeped down the wall, taking salt from the plaster and causing a bad smell.

"After difficulty gaining access to flat above, the leak was located and repaired last week.

"An appointment has now been arranged with Mrs Walmsley for re-plastering work to be done next Tuesday and we are sorry for the inconvenience."