A TERMINALLY-ILL woman has been a prisoner in her own home for more than three weeks after the lift in her block of flats broke down.

The family of Ena Keers, 70, who lives in Union Court, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, have spoken of their anger and frustration after being told by Three Rivers Housing Group they will have to wait until Friday at the earliest before a temporary arrangement is operational.

Daughter Carol Minto said: "My mother suffers from multiple system atrophy, which is a degenerative brain disease.

"She has no use of her legs, has breathing problems and is confined to a wheelchair.

"The lift is her lifeline to the outside world. She goes to St Cuthbert's Hospice every week to see her friends, and is no longer able to get there.

"We come and pick her up three times a week to take her out, which we haven't been able to do either.

"Her life has been an absolute misery. She has been really depressed - it's most distressing."

Mrs Minto added: "We pay them a service charge of £1,200 a year. We expect better."

Mrs Keers' husband Matthew, who lives with her in the first- floor flat, said: "The lift has broken down before. They knew this was going to happen and should have had plans in place."

Residents were told a temporary wheelchair lift would be fitted - but family and friends would first have be trained how to use it.

Three Rivers spokesman Craig Downs said the lift had broken down after the group had started a tender process for a replacement.

He said the replacement took six weeks to manufacture - as it had to be purpose designed - after which there was a two to three week fitting time.

He said: "Unfortunately, it is out of our hands.

"We have asked the company to accelerate the process - we are aware there are vulnerable people within the scheme."

Mr Downs said, in the meantime, a wheelchair walker had been ordered and would be fitted today.

After family and friends have been trained to use the wheelchair lift, it is hoped the temporary measure will operating by Friday.