Cheltenham house blast: No demolitions until midweek

A council spokesman said it was not possible to say how many properties would need to be pulled down

Any demolition of properties which were damaged in a gas explosion in Cheltenham will not begin until at least the middle of the week.

One Rosehill Street homeowner has been told his house will have to be pulled down after the incident on Thursday.

But a council spokesman said it was not possible yet to say how many others would need to be pulled down.

Betty Hodgkiss, 81, whose house was destroyed in the blast, is still recovering in hospital.

Emergency services were called to the terraced house, near Sandford Lido, last Thursday evening.

Cheltenham Borough Council said it was working with residents and insurance firms "to ensure the neighbouring properties are safe".

The authority is also imposing a traffic management scheme while vehicles needed to make the area safe are brought on site.

A spokesman said it would involve "some short term disruption for local residents" but hoped they would "remain understanding" while any work took place.