A pensioner refusing to pay rent until his faulty heating system is fixed says he is 'encouraged' to hear work will start tomorrow.

Reginald Moorby, 85, says he was left freezing in his own home last winter after his broken system failed to keep him warm.

As a result, the grandfather would wear his coat inside and a dressing gown to bed to fight off the cold at his flat on Romney Marsh.

He said only about an inch of his radiators would would get warm - not hot - and said the situation was making him feel 'ill'.

And with the cooler months fast approaching and fearing he would face a second cold winter, Mr Moorby stopped paying his rent to East Kent Housing (EKH) in the hope it would prompt them to sort the issue.

The housing provider responded by saying that "due to the age of the system" they had to order specialist parts and this contributed to the "timescales in fixing the system".

Today, they revealed work will start tomorrow at the flats at Mittell Court, Lydd.

An East Kent Housing spokeswoman said: "We have remained in contact with the tenant and provided them with an update on the situation.

"Works commence on site tomorrow and we are sorry for an inconvenience that has been caused."

Mr Moorby, a former engineer who started his career as a radio mechanic in the Royal Signals, said: "Someone came to see me on Friday and asked if I would be prepared to have new radiators put in. I said yes.

"It is really encouraging that they will come tomorrow to sort it.

"I am really grateful that this has come to light. I had been feeling desperate.

"I couldn't get anything done, I had asked my warden, the council, EKH, I'd even written to a solicitor."

Following the publication of KentOnline's story last week, kind-hearted readers got in touch offering to help Mr Moorby.

A plumbing company offered to visit the pensioner for free and others said they would donate blankets.

An online fundraising page was also set up, titled Help Mr Moorby get the heating he needs.

Mr Moorby, a father-of-two, said: "It does make me feel good that people have offered to help. It restores your faith in humanity."

Last week, a damning report reprimanded four councils - including Folkestone and Hythe District Council - for failing to ensure EKH, which manages council properties, carried out vital gas safety checks.

Other issues with water, electricity and fire safety checks were also identified in the report from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Read more: All the latest news from Romney Marsh