Hebburn family say they're '˜living like Eskimos' after high winds damage their home

Angry dad Tom Dellin says he, his wife, and their three children have been told they might have to wait until mid-February for repairs to their house.

High winds tore tiles off the roof of Tom Dellin’s house in Rhyl Parade, Hebburn, and torrential rain caused a leak, which led to the collapse of ceilings in two bedrooms in the property.

Mr Dellin alerted South Tyneside Homes after holes were ripped into the ceilings of the two rooms last Saturday – but said he was been told they could be left exposed to the elements for a month.

Tom Dellin wants to be rehoused if the repairs aren't done soon.

The 34-year-old, who lives with wife Gemma and children Joshua, 12, Matthew, 11, and Jasmine, eight, says South Tyneside Homes have told him they would be unable to carry out repairs until mid-February due to a shortage of materials.

South Tyneside Council has told the Gazette it aims to have the work done this week.

The angry dad says the damp conditions are affecting the health of Joshua and Jasmine, who both suffer from asthma.

A South Tyneside Homes worker visited the home last Saturday to ensure the property was safe to live in, but the family are now on hold and left living in the cold.

Tom Dellin says his house is so cold and wet that his family are living like Eskimos.

Mr Dellin, who works as a chef in Durham, said: “The ceiling in both myself and my wife’s bedroom and another bedroom have collapsed.

“There are holes in the ceiling and water is leaking in. It’s cold and wet. We have been living like Eskimos.

“It has been horrible for us. We were told the repair works can’t be carried out until mid-February because of a shortage of materials.

“Surely South Tyneside Homes should have been prepared for these kind of problems? Joshua and Jasmine both have asthma and this is not good for their health.”

Mr Dellin believes that if repairs cannot be completed swiftly, his family should be re-housed until they are done.

A South Tyneside Homes spokesman said: “We were only made aware of issues at the property within the last week and have arranged for the roof repairs to be carried out over the next week, weather permitting.

“Once the external work has been completed, we will be able to begin repairs on the ceilings.

“Understandably due to the current bad weather, we have received many reports of damage to council properties and we are trying our utmost to attend in a timely manner.”