ELDERLY people living in sheltered housing in Devizes say they have been trapped in their flats for weeks after both lifts broke down.

Three weeks ago firefighters were called in after a tenant was trapped in the one remaining lift and it has not worked since.

Now people living at Stanford Court in Sheep Street, who find it difficult to walk and cannot manage stairs, say they feel like prisoners in the three-storey block.

Ethel Macklin, 88, said: "The only time I can get out is when my son comes over and can help me."

Another resident Glyn Miller, 68, who suffers from diabetes, which badly affects his feet, lives on the third floor and now finds getting down the stairs very difficult.

He said: "It is a real problem for me and no one seems to be doing anything."

Tenants say there had been problems with one of the two lifts for some time but no maintenance work had been carried out. Then the second lift also broke down trapping an elderly tenant inside. Firefighters from Devizes had to be called to the rescue.

The 27 flats are run by a Bournemouth-based housing association and tenants this week said that their problems were not being taken seriously enough.

Richard Bradfield, who has been in regular contact with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), said: "The first lift broke down in June and then the other one nearly three weeks ago, which is when the fire brigade had to be called.

"There are people here who are very elderly and not very mobile and who now feel trapped in their flats. We have had a catalogue of other problems as well including a water leak which meant we had no water for a day, problems with the boiler and windows.

"We used to have a full-time warden to look after things but now we just have someone who pops in a couple of times a week."

Another tenant, who did not want to be named, said: "I feel totally trapped. It is like being in prison."

A spokesman for BCHA said: "Stanford Court is a housing project for people who are generally able to live independently with support usually provided by Mears Care for a few of the residents.

"BCHA was advised in the middle of June that one of the Stanford Court lifts had broken down. As the relevant component parts of the power unit are no longer available, these have to be manufactured specially and are on expedited order.

"It is very unfortunate that the second lift subsequently malfunctioned and that the emergency repairs have not been able to get it in working order, so major work is being planned for this.

"BCHA housing officers have been visiting Stanford Court at least twice a week to offer additional assistance to all the residents during this difficult period. The Director of Housing and Support, a member of the Asset Management Team and Housing Officers have also attended meetings of the Tenants’ Group to provide regular updates, reassurance and to establish any additional support and help they require.

"We continue to do all we possibly can to obtain the replacement parts and get the lifts back into use as soon as possible."