A pensioner has spoken of her “terrible” ordeal trying to live in a rented home which regularly floods and finding herself “ankle-deep in water”.

Great-gran Jean Armour has witnessed a faulty pipe rupture in her third-floor flat three times this year alone.

Following the latest incident, the 71-year-old sought refuge with friends for a week before the housing association, Orbit Homes, put her up in a hotel.

The social landlord says it offered help to move her belongings and provide suitable storage space while it fixed the issues, as well as providing the option of temporary accommodation.

But Jean, who has lived in her flat in Strood for 13 years, does not feel the help has been good enough, and believes her home has been left a “terrible mess”.

The last leak seeped into her electrics and she has been told to throw away some appliances, such as her hoover, iron and heater, because they were deemed too dangerous.

On the last occasion on Monday, September 9, she was on her way to light a candle in memory of her great-grandson who had passed away, when she heard a “strange noise”.

She said: ”I looked out of the window because I thought it was raining and then all of a sudden I was ankle-deep in water.”

Jean, a former barmaid who works as a volunteer for the Home Start charity, said she “panicked” and called her daughter who told her to ring the fire brigade.

Firefighters arrived at her home in Evelyn House in Evelyn Close and pumped out the premises, warning her not to use the electricity.

Jean said: “They turned the water off. It was starting to affect my neighbours’ homes.”

After spending a week staying with friends and family, Orbit booked her into the Premier Inn hotel at Medway Valley Park in Strood.

She said: “I told them I would go back if everything was OK, but when I got in it was in a terrible mess.”

Jean said the situation has left her depressed and she is on stronger medication for arthritis which has deteriorated because of the dampness.

“My home is just ruined I think,” she adds.

”I’ve worked hard all my life and been a good tenant. I just need help with this.”

A spokesperson for Orbit Homes said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our priority.

“Following a leak that affected the electricity supply to Mrs Armour’s home, we offered to arrange temporary accommodation whilst we investigated and undertook repairs.

“Mrs Armour declined our offer, advising that she preferred to stay with family and friends.

“We continued to offer options for temporary accommodation, one of which Mrs Armour accepted on September 9 and alternative accommodation was provided.

“We have remained in close contact with Mrs Armour throughout, providing daily support whilst we completed repairs and restored the safe electricity supply to her home, including helping to move her belongings, providing a suitable storage space including access to a fridge/freezer for her food, and assisting her with her laundry.”

They added: “We can confirm that the necessary works have been completed and following the safe reconnection of the electricity, provided two dehumidifiers.

“We have also arranged to have Mrs Armour’s carpet professionally cleaned and have advised her to contact her home contents insurance provider.

“We would like to thank Mrs Armour for her patience during this time and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”