A pensioner fears her toilet will collapse on her head after workmen fitted a new cistern but failed to replace its old rusty brackets.

Emma Hyne, 92, of Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, said she was scared of going to the toilet in case the tank filled with gallons of water breaks loose.

Workers lowered the tank two weeks ago after her son Barry, 52, complained she could not pull the chain but they did not change the brackets.

Mrs Hyne said: “I am actually waiting for the cistern to fall on my head. There is mould and rust everywhere in this place.

“It absolutely gets on my nerves. I don’t want to live in a place like this.”

Her son claimed workers told him new brackets would be ordered, but the family was later told an order had not be placed.

Barking and Dagenham Council said on Tuesday it would not replace the brackets, as it believes the metal triangles are fit for purpose.

A spokesman said: “Enterprise, the council’s maintenance contractor, replaced the toilet cistern with a new unit in August 2010.

“The original holding brackets were kept because, although rusty, they are still fit for purpose.

“It is normal practice to retain existing parts wherever possible if they are still in good condition.

“This helps to keep costs down and avoids unnecessary wastage.”

The Labour council has pledged to visit the property in the near future to inspect a back door, which does not shut properly from the outside.