A grandmother had a lucky escape when a ceiling collapsed on her after builders carried out work at her home.

Afroze Dhuny, 65, said she is still in shock after the plaster in her kitchen narrowly missing her head as she did the washing up at 8pm last night (March 30).

The pensioner, who has lived on the Priory Court estate in Walthamstow for 40 years, said workers carrying out refurbishment work at her home left the work unfinished.

It is claimed the plaster then fell down becase contractors for Watham Forest council's housing manager Ascham Homes failed to apply the correct bonding agents.

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Ms Dhuny narrowly avoided injjury after her ceiling collapsed last night.

Ms Dhuny, who was not physically injured, said: “I was doing the washing up and it fell down next to me. 

"I moved my head just in time or I could have been seriously injured.

"The plaster has really sharp edges.

“I panicked and just started crying.

"I thought everything was coming down. 

"There was plaster all over my head and in my hair.

“I’m still in shock. I couldn’t sleep last night from the stress.

"If it hit me, I would have been by myself, who would know to come to help?

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

The pensioners' kitchen products have been moved into a spare room for over a month whilst she waited for repairs.

Her daughter Kareema, 31, leaves her young children in the care of her grandmother often and is concerned for her safety.

She said: “It’s a cowboy job. It looks like the builders have tried to save money. 

“My mother is vulnerable by herself and I can only do so much.

“When I get hold of them I get the same old excuses that they are waiting for paperwork, whilst my mum lives in chaos."

Aschams Homes has been approached for comment.