A Woolwich pensioner had to be taken to hospital with pneumonia after a series of leaks at his council house.

Michael Niles’ home in Woolwich started to show signs of a serious leak in February earlier this year.

Greenwich Council sent over repair staff to fix the problem, but continued damp problems plagued the 75-year-old’s home.

A spokesperson from the council said that three unrelated flooding incidents at his home, combined with the latest thunderstorms, left the home with water damage.

On May 14, after three months of continuing damp and water damage problems, Michael, who has diabetes and vascular disease, collapsed and was taken to hospital.

It turned out Michael was diagnosed with “severe pneumonia” according to his daughter, Donna Niles, who blames the damp for his health problems.

She said: “On admittance, Michael was prescribed oxygen, IV fluids and antibiotics. He spent five days at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“After discharge from hospital Michael returned to the flat to recuperate, only days after returning home, his symptoms returned and he was further admitted to hospital on May 25.”

Donna is adamant that Greenwich Council are to blame for her dad’s health problems, saying “they simply do not care”.

She said: “The elderly residents have just been expected to just put up with the circumstances despite the compromise to their health and general well-being and with nowhere to go, what can they do?”

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said: “There have been three separate and unrelated flooding episodes at Mr Niles’ home, which have all been remedied.

“The latest of which happened over last weekend, as a result of the exceptionally heavy downpour in London. As a result, there has been some water damage to Mr Niles’ home.

“The Council has offered to redecorate once the property is fully dried and aired, to make good and also to reimburse him for any material costs he has paid out for already.”