COUNCIL tenants in need of emergency repairs will not be left out in the cold over Christmas.

Epping Forest District Council will be running an out-of-hours service throughout the holiday, with a limited maintenance service operating on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Tenants requiring emergency repair work should contact the civic office on 01992 564 000, unless problems relate to gas appliances or a gas leak.

Issues with council-owned gas heating systems should be reported to Gracelands Complete Maintenance Services on 020 8502 2250.

Gas leaks or suspected fumes should be reported to the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Cllr David Stallan, cabinet member for housing, said: “I would ask our residents to contact us only in a genuine emergency as we will only have a limited number of staff on duty over the festive season.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”