Ashford pensioner left alone in the cold for more than a week

She said she called her housing provider A2Dominion the next day but said they didn't come around until the seventh, and didn't provide her with a heater until Tuesday January 12 when she went over their heads.

She also said her electric heater had broken down.

Ms Brennan, who lives alone with her 10-year-old dog Alfie, said: "When it happened I thought we couldn't carry on like this, we could have died. Surely A2's priority is the elderly?"

After more than a week of being without a heater and not hearing from A2 she contacted her MP David Wilshire, who contacted Ashford North and Stanwell South councillor Marian Rough, who rang A2 and demanded they bring over two convector heaters.

But Ms Brennan said: "I have now spent my monthly allowance on electricity, nearly £50, and spent almost £20 on calls from my mobile to sort it out. I am now dipping into my food money."

Denise Turner-Stewart, Surrey County Councillor for Staines south and Ashford west has been very concerned over the plight of old people in the borough after she heard an elderly couple in the north of England froze to death recently.

She is asking for any old people who are suffering, can't get hold of grit, or can't get to the shops for groceries, to call her or other councillors so they can sort it out.

She said: "I have a 4x4 car so there it is no bother for me getting round with a heater or food. I'm sure quite a lot of people don't know who to contact so I want to make sure we are here for them. It would be terrible to think of elderly people suffering somewhere in silence."

Mrs Turner-Stewart has also come up with a list of gritting bins in the area for resident's use.

On Wednesday January 13 Clarendon Primary School, in Knapp Road, Ashford was partially closed, and the fire service were only being called to major incidents.

Sue Stroud, of Leacroft, in Staines, said she had a very difficult time getting her children to school.

She said: "The grit bins are empty and I had a horrific time getting out. We are on a slope, and all the cars were sliding. I narrowly missed getting hit by the car in front."

David Lingeman, A2Dominion's director of property services, said: We regret that we have not been able to fix our tenant Pauline Brennan's boiler as quickly as we would have hoped.

"She first reported the matter on January 5th, and our engineer visited her home the next day. If possible the boiler would have been repaired on the same day, but we had to order a new part to resolve the problem.

"The part has now arrived, but the delivery of it took longer than usual due to a backlog created over the Christmas and New Year period.

"We do endeavour to hold stocks of essential parts to minimise inconvenience to residents, but unfortunately the part required was not available.

"Ms Brennan informed us she had her own electric heater that she could use while waiting for her boiler to be fixed. As soon as she told us that it had broken, we provided her with temporary electric heaters.

"We will be offering her compensation for the time she has been without central heating.

"We offer our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by this situation, and would like to thank Ms Brenan for her patience."

To call Mrs Turner-Stewart ring 07971 665548, or to report highway problems ring the Surrey County Council hotline on 0300 200 1003.