Terrified tenants who moved out of a fire-hit high-rise fear a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy if urgent safety work is not carried out immediately.

The 14-storey Invicta House tower block in Margate has been plagued with fires in recent years, with five in one week in July, and another earlier this month.

But despite this, East Kent Housing, which manages the block on behalf of Thanet District Council, admits fire safety enhancement works have been delayed and will not be completed until next spring.

Former resident Li Jean-Luc Harris says he and his partner no longer felt safe there so moved out two weeks ago.

"They have no care or respect for us - they just fed us false promises," he said.

"The only time they act is when it's too late.

"There is a lot of concern regarding similar occurrences as Grenfell and the same thing happening."

The 22-year-old says there are worries about the alarm system, with people unable to hear the warning bells.

"You can only hear them in the hallways, you can't hear them inside your flat," he said.

"I've slept through fires on multiple occasions, only finding out from neighbours or the papers in the morning.

"It's just sad the work is being delayed especially with the frequency of the fires.

"There are families and vulnerable people placed there and it makes me worry for them. Until these issues are resolved no one will be safe there.

"I literally handed in my keys to the council 30 minutes before the last fire.

"It's just a shame others are forced to stay due to financial or council restrictions."

Earlier this year, bosses at EKH said work to address fire risks would start in the summer.

But Deborah Upton, chief executive of the organisation, which is currently the subject of a review by four councils due to safety failings at 500 other properties, says this has been pushed back.

She says this is because TDC has had to re-tender the work at Invicta House and is in the process of appointing a new contractor.

"We aim to complete the works by spring 2020 and are keeping residents up to date on progress," she said.

"They have no care or respect for us - they just fed us false promises" - former Invicta House resident Li Jean-Luc Harris

"Work includes new front entrance, communal and kitchen doors, and enhancements to stairwell fire protection, the communal fire alarm system, and flat smoke detection.

"This work is part of a broader programme of fire safety works that are being delivered in a series of phases by EKH and Thanet council."

Cllr Gary Taylor, who represents the Dane Valley ward at Thanet council, says he spoke to residents who are concerned about the lack of security and CCTV at the building.

"Safety for tenants should always come first," he said.

"I'm hoping once the decision by cabinet on EKH has been made, that a new contractor can be put in place ASAP."

He moved to re-assure residents concerned about a repeat of Grenfell that this is unlikely.

"The Grenfell Tower cladding was aluminium composite material," he said.

"The external wall insulation at Invicta House is an approved external wall insulation and not in the same category as the Grenfell cladding."

Invicta House has been a high-profile fire risk since a huge blaze in 2007, when flames were tackled by 50 firefighters.

Last year, three blazes were also started deliberately in the space of one week in April.

A police spokesman says enquiries are ongoing in relation to this year's fires.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet