PENSIONERS whose homes have been without hot water for more than three months will have their supply returned to normal within weeks, officials pledged last night.

Up to 15 houses at the Sir ED Walker Homes development, in Darlington, have been affected since before Christmas, leaving their elderly occupants - many of whom suffer from ill health - to manage through some of the coldest months of the year without hot water.

Engineers found a number of leaks in a water main - which was installed in 1928 - meaning that 600 metres of underground pipe would need to be laid to repair the problem.

Residents of the bungalows, in Coniscliffe Road, were warned that it would be a massive job to undertake, and would cost a significant amount of money, which had to be raised through loans and funding grants.

Yesterday, the development's trustees told The Northern Echo that work was progressing ahead of expectations, and an end to the problem was now in sight.

During the course of repair work being carried out, hot water has been restored to the development, albeit temporarily.

Peter Willson, chair of Sir ED Walker Homes trustees, said work to lay a new pipe was well under way.

"Work has begun and contractors are on site, and about 80 per cent of the work should be completed by the end of next week.

"Work to connect the supply into each property will then take place," he said.

"We are in the process of renewing the whole water main round the site and making connections into each bungalow, which is a very significant task.

"Everyone will have their water supply restored to normal soon. We are talking weeks, not months, providing everything goes to plan and without any hitches. If it all goes well, it will only take a few weeks.

"For some unexplained reason, the water pressure has resumed, and hot water has been restored, although I probably wouldn't say it was on a permanent basis. But once this work is complete, it will be.

"Hopefully, once this has been completed, that will be the pipe work secure for another 100 years."

Residents of Sir ED Walker Homes whose water supply had been affected last night welcomed the news.

One said: "It's been a long three months, and it does get you down after a time.

"But at least we've got hot water for the minute and an end to this saga is in sight."