An pensioner is calling for a broken manhole outside her home to be fixed following “a year of sleepless nights”.

Joan Fendt, of Abridge Road in Chigwell, said the loose manhole rattles and bangs when traffic passes over it“at least 100 times a day”.

The mother-of-two, who first complained to Essex County Council about the problem in February last year and has sent 10 letters without reply.

Ms Fendt, who works from home, said the manhole has left cracks in the surrounding road and regularly sparks.

She added: “I have had a year of sleepless nights and I cannot spend more than 20 minutes in my garden because of the constant banging.

“It’s like living on a railway line, it shudders and then there is a huge bang.

“There will be a serious accident soon if it doesn’t get fixed.

"The road is cracking and it only takes one car to go over it and cause a hole.

“I just want the thundering to stop so I can enjoy my home again.”

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “There are numerous ironworks at this location.

“We are therefore sending an inspector to investigate all manholes, road drains and surface gullies in the vicinity of Mrs Fendt’s house to identify the root cause of the problem and confirm who is responsible for rectifying it.”

Ms Fendt has also endured flooding in her home due to a problem with drains in the area.