A PENSIONER fears he will spend three years living in temporary accommodation despite being told work on his house would take only 12 weeks.

The council is waiting for the party wall awards to be agreed before underpinning the front and rear of Edward Worby's house in Chingdale Road, Chingford, can start.

But it is now hopeful that work will begin in early March.

Mr Worby, 81, and his wife Olive, 77, were moved from their house in September 2004 because of concerns about structural damage.

The elderly couple were moved by Ascham Homes, which manages the council's housing, to Summit Road, Walthamstow and they have lived there since.

But they are desperate to return to the home they have shared for 65 years.

Mr Worby told the Guardian: "I have been living in temporary accommodation for two and a half years. If I am still here in September then it will have taken three years to complete a job I was told would take 12 weeks."

He also claims Ascham Homes have been keeping him in the dark about a start date.

"I have not received any information from them whatsoever," he said.

Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard became aware of Mr Worby's plight last October and has vowed to help him move back to Chingford.

He said this week that he was glad progress was being made but was shocked about the length of time the couple have spent living in temporary accommodation.

A council spokeswoman said the underpinning would take 14 weeks to complete barring any unforeseen problems.

Mr Worby's home will be decorated afterwards, she added.