Portishead pensioners trapped in tower block for 12 days

Carol Jones-Evans is relying on family and neighbours to get her food

Residents with mobility issues have been left trapped in a retirement apartment block for almost two weeks after a lift broke down.

Some people living in Hanover House in Portishead, near Bristol, have been unable to get outside for 12 days, spending Christmas stuck inside.

Carol Jones-Evans, 78, lives on the fourth floor and has mobility issues.

"I feel very caged in and desperate for fresh air," she said. Flats operators Anchor said support has been arranged.

Rowena Hindle, operations manager for Hanover House, said: "The local manager and area manager have spoken with all residents and support has been arranged for residents who need it with tasks such as taking down rubbish and laundry.

"A stairlift will be installed at the location in the new year."

"It's been really depressing and difficult, you're just stuck in your flat and you can't get out," Ms Jones-Evans added

The lift of the seven storey building, which has 30 one-bed properties, broke on 16 December and repairs are currently being made.

Carol's daughter has been driving from Worcestershire to drop off food

Some report being told repair work may only start at the end of January and that a stair lift may be installed.

Ms Jones-Evans can use a stick to get around her flat but has to use a mobility scooter that fits in the lift, to go out.

"I cannot get downstairs," she said.

"The last information I was given was that they'd hopefully fix it at the end of January.

"I have to rely on other people, kind neighbours to do all my rubbish, my washing, my shopping and take my dog out."

Retired residents of Hanover House have been unable to get out

Malcolm James, 76, has lived in the block for 16 years and said the situation was a "shambles".

Mr James, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoarthritis, said it takes him 40 minutes to get downstairs, taking stops to use an inhaler.

He said: "It's hard to get down there - it's 64 steps to the entrance and 80 odd to the basement where the washing machine is.

"I try and go out three times a day because I have a dog."

Malcolm James is stuck on the fourth floor

"We are all very fed up. We are vulnerable, this is sheltered housing, we all have pull cords and pay money for a manager to help.

"It's a shambles nothing has been done."

Ms Hindle added: "The main lift drive, which is bespoke to the lift, is being repaired by the manufacturer and the lift will be fixed as soon as it is delivered back to us.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused to residents and are doing everything we can to resolve it as quickly as possible."