A FURIOUS family are demanding action after an 86-year-old man's Greenock home was flooded for the tenth time.

Samuel McEachran, who has suffered several strokes and needs 24-hour care, was in the bathroom only minutes before water started gushing through the ceiling in his flat in South Street.

His carer rushed up to report it to the neighbour upstairs who contacted Oak Tree, as they own the flat.

Workers came out to fix the leak but housing bosses refused to go downstairs and check the pensioner's electrics because he is an owner occupier.

The widower's daughter, Jeanette King, said: "I could hear workers upstairs, so I phoned to see what was happening.

"I asked if someone was coming out after the water was pouring down the electrics and the woman said no, because he owns his house it's not their problem.

"She said they were only obliged to fix the problem in their flat.

"They had always sent someone out over the years when it happened before."

Mr McEachran is still grieving over the loss of his wife Jean who passed away a few months ago.

Jeanette, 59, said: "My mum went through all this with my dad and she was in ill health as well.

"Dad was very upset and agitated so this was the last thing he needed."

Jeanette stayed all day on Wednesday and overnight for fear her dad might forget about what happened and turn on the light in the bathroom.

Since it happened carers have had to carry out their client's personal care in the living room.

His carer told the Telegraph: "I had just finished washing Mr McEachran and took him into the living room.

"I was in the kitchen making his porridge when I heard a dripping sound.

"Water was pouring through the bathroom ceiling.

"I was so glad we had finished, we could have both been in there and the light was on at the time."

She got towels and a basin and rushed upstairs to report it to the neighbour.

Jeanette said: "He is an 86-year-old man and every time his flat gets flooded, I have to contact the carers' supervisor to advise carers not to go near the bathroom. What would happen if they got electrocuted?"

The family say they there have been several tenants living upstairs so the problem is clearly to do with the property rather than the occupants.

Jeanette said: "This is the tenth time he's been flooded.

"Three years ago my mum and dad had to move out for three months and stay with me because their flat was so badly flooded.

"I don't know what the problem is, I'm at a loss."

Nick Jardine, chief executive officer of Oak Tree Housing Association, said: "We would like to apologise to the gentleman concerned.

"We understand it has been difficult for him on a number of occasions.

"We are willing to get an electrician to check the electrics and we will be in touch with Mr McEachran's daughter to arrange this.

"We are also looking a long term solution."