A SINGLE father is covering the ceiling and walls in his home with cardboard this winter because he cannot afford to put the heating on.
Fearing high energy bills over the winter, Nigel Cleall has bought three huge rolls of cardboard in the hopes to save some money and keep his home in Nash Close, Martley, warm.
He is using the makeshift insulation as without it he expects his garden shed to be warmer than his house this winter.
The dad-of-two, aged 50, said Platform Housing Association promised it would fix the heating system in his home.
He said the walls and ceiling are not insulated as well as they should be which is why the heat is quick to leave the building.
Platform Housing said it had no outstanding jobs at the property but it is due for a routine heating service.
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Mr Cleall, who works as a lorry driver, said: "I'm basically heating Martley, when I put my heating on, it goes through the ceiling. The roof is over 27 years old."
"I'm heating up my street, not my house. The heating just goes through the house because there is no insulation.
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"My plan of action is to cardboard up my exterior walls in the front room.
"Obviously, I will have to use my other rooms but I will live in my front room during the winter.
"I have bought three big rolls from eBay.
"I hope it works and it saves me a bit of money.
"I come home from work and can't put the heating on.
"I can't afford it, I'm a single Dad.
"Last year, I could only afford to put the heating on when my boys were coming down to stay with me.
"But I can't even afford that now.
"If I did that now, it would cost me £78 just for two days.
"Last year, it cost me £120 a week on electric, now I'm looking at £192 a week and I cannot afford it.
"I can't afford nearly £200 a month on my electric, so basically we will be living in my front room.
"All I want is a comfy home for me and my son, Oliver.
"I go to work, and I keep my nose clean and I am not a criminal.
"I do everything by the book and you just don't get anywhere, it is just wrong."
Dennis Evans, executive director (Property Management) at Platform Housing Group said: "We are sorry to hear of Mr Cleall's concerns; we are pleased to report that a replacement bath is due to be installed later this month.
"With regards to the customer's heating, we have no outstanding jobs at his home.
"However, we are due to attend a routine heating service as part of our yearly cycle.
"Earlier this month we also sent one of our surveyors to visit Mr Cleall to discuss his concerns."
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