HOUSING chiefs have apologised for delays dealing with damp in a Colburn home - but have pledged to do all they can to eradicate the problem.

As reported in last week's edition of the Advertiser, newlyweds Andrew and Amanda Pavey first complained in August and were told fans would be fitted in the property on Foxglove Court to help to circulate the air.

However, five months later, they were still waiting and called on their local councillor, Mayor of Colburn Peter Wood, for help.

Richmondshire District Council housing chief Colin Dales has since admitted excessive workloads meant it took longer than expected to reach the Paveys.

But he stressed the authority is committed to solving the problem -- and the fans now installed are only the first stage.

"We have also called in an independent investigator to establish the cause of the problem," said Mr Dales.

"We suspect it may not be damp but condensation but we need to be sure before we take any further action.

"If we're right, then we can also try dry-lining the walls to warm them up while we will also issue the Paveys with advice about what they can do to limit the moisture in the air in their home.

"We have to take an incremental approach rather than go into overkill; it's no good throwing money at the problem until we know the cause."

Mr Dales added: "We accept it has taken longer than it should have to fit the fans and I would like to apologise to the Paveys. However, they will be given a copy of the investigator's report and we will be working with them to deal with the issue."