»Hundreds of residents living in two council tower blocks had their hot water and central heating switched off three months ago – and it still has not been turned back on.

Instead, those living in the 192 flats have resorted to using emergency heaters and electric radiators, which they claim has doubled their electricity bills, and are boiling kettles to have baths and bucket showers.

One resident claimed their living conditions are like those endured in the Second World War.

A letter from Barking and Dagenham Council was sent to residents of Mersea House and Colne House in Harts Lane, Barking, in June stating the hot water and central heating would be turned off because of a fault with the boiler system.

Residents say that is the last they have heard from the council and the housing association, United House.

Natalie Law, 28, said: “I have been using a kettle to make a bath for me and my two children. The immersion heater doesn’t work.

“It’s been like World War Two. I’ve got no heating and it’s freezing.”

Her neighbour Leanne Harris, 29, a mother-of-two, has been using the immersion heater but said it “kills the electricity”.

“I’ve spent double the amount I usually do on the electricity meter,” she said.

Meanwhile, when Claire McDonnell, 30, tried to get electric heaters from the council to keep her and her three children warm, she says it had run out and she had to buy them herself.

Another resident, Sylus Mukasa, 34, who has been taking bucket showers, told the Post: “They told us they would put it back on in the winter. Now it is getting cold. I’m fed up.”

A council spokesman said: “The council and United House have been working closely together to resolve this problem, and we have now agreed a way forward which will enable heating to be restored imminently. Further work will then be carried out over the next few weeks to fully restore heating and hot water.”

He said of the residents: “We will be compensating them for additional energy costs and are currently examining the best way to do this.”