More than 50 properties at The Lonnen in South Shields, depend on dated electric storage heaters.

But Real Independent for Cleadon Park, Coun George Elsom, believes South Tyneside Homes should modernise them to incorporate the likes of gas central heating.

He said: "Many elderly people are relying on these old-style heaters, which just aren't good enough any more.

"By the time nightfall comes, they're sitting in their homes freezing with blankets wrapped around them."

The electric heaters use inexpensive off-peak electricity to store heat in a core of high-density bricks. This heat is then given out during the day and evening.

But come late afternoon, they go cold, according to residents Cath Brennan and her husband Malcolm, both 62, who are left freezing.

The grandmother-of-two said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. They're on permanently and you can't alter them to suit your needs. Even when it's too warm in the summer, you can't turn them off.

"It's been absolutely freezing in recent weeks and we're having to rely on electric blankets and layers of clothing during the evening, because no warmth comes from the heater."

Mrs Brennan, a quality controller, who's lived in her home for the last year, said she is fed-up with complaining for something to be done.

Coun Elsom said: "It's really not good enough that in this day and age people have to suffer in the cold like this.

"What's it going to take for things to be changed? Someone to freeze to death?"

A spokesman for South Tyneside Homes said: "We are are aware of the situation and new heating systems are one of the elements covered as part of our Decent Homes Programme.

"We have not yet carried out Decent Homes surveys at these properties, but will be doing so in order that we can establish the work required to bring each of them up to the Decent Homes Standard."