COUNCIL bosses have apologised to a tenant who had his gas switched off for more than a month -- because an engineer went off work sick and forgot to turn it back on again!

Lorry driver Chris Winskill from Manor House Lane in Deepdale had his gas supply turned off five weeks ago as part of a rolling programme by workmen to make sure pipes going in and out of council properties were safe.

However, Chris had to resort to using a kettle to wash himself after gas safety engineers from Preston council turned off the supply but forgot to switch it back on again.

Chris, 45, who managed to get his gas fire switched back on this week, said: "A council engineer who came round to my house told me that the reason why my gas has been switched off for so long was because the original engineer who switched it off went off work sick and left the work sheet in his van.

"I just couldn't believe it! I had no fire, no hot water and no heating for five weeks.

"The weather was quite bad at the start, with sleet and freezing temperatures."

He added: "I know the gas safety people do a very good job to make pipes safe, but I hope that never happens to me again."

Unfortunately, Chris was not the only tenant to suffer.

One elderly lady on Manor House Lane endured the same fate, with her gas switched off for two weeks.

Councillor Terry Cartwright, who represents the Deepdale area, said: "This situation is just not acceptable.

"The gas safety team do a fantastic job, but there's obviously a lack of communication somewhere down the line."

Mick Lovatt, works director at Preston Borough Council, said: "The welfare and safety of tenants is our top priority.

"We check and service over 7,000 gas installations every year to make sure they are safe.

"This is a very unfortunate incident and we are sorry for the inconvenience suffered by Mr Winskill."