A PENSIONER has blasted North Ayrshire Council for refusing to replace her carpet after it was ruined when her water tank flooded at her Ardrossan sheltered home.

Caroline Campbell’s hot water tank burst in May at the sheltered home in Ardrossan’s George Aitken Court. Her entire hall carpet was damaged but the council will not help the 71-year-old towards replacing it because they do not insure contents against flooding.

Caroline said: “When I lift the carpet up it’s all damp and it smells. The boards underneath are all discoloured. It’s terrible.

“he council have refused to pay and I don’t know why.I got a letter saying it wasn’t their responsibility because they didn’t know the tank was going to burst. They said I can claim on my home insurance but I don’t have insurance because I can’t afford it. It’s terrible, but it’s not really about the money, it’s the principle of the whole thing.”

North Ayrshire Council have replaced Caroline’s boiler but said they would not replace contents and urged tenants to take out insurance.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “While we have every sympathy for the tenant, the leak was unforeseen and not caused by negligence, therefore the cost of any damage would not be covered by the council.

“While we provide cover for the building, we do not insure the contents against fire, theft and flood, therefore we strongly advise all tenants to take out home contents insurance.

“We offer a home contents insurance scheme which many tenants already take advantage of and pay for along with their rent. Application forms for insurance can be picked up at any of our housing offices or downloaded from the housing section of our website, www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

“This insurance policy can help provide cover against damage to personal belongings, such as carpets, furniture and other household contents, in the event of an incident such as a fire or a flood. It may also cover certain items stolen in a break-in.”