SHIVERING under a quilt - that was how one York couple spent Christmas because of a long-running saga over their central heating.

Lee Southren and his fiancee Margaret Lunn, claim the heating problems in their Ryedale Housing Association flat in Lindley Road, Clifton Moor, have been a constant battle.

They spent a miserable Christmas huddled together for warmth when their heating packed up again after a housing official came in to fix it.

Lee, 33, a part-time shop assistant, said: "We were too cold to cook a Christmas dinner. We just sat under the quilt and ate biscuits. We just did not want to move."

Lee said the couple's problems started when the central heating in their one-bedroom flat stopped working.

The couple, who receive housing benefit, said they had repeatedly called the housing association to ask for a replacement boiler, but had not been given one.

Margaret, who suffers from epilepsy and diabetes, has been treated in hospital several times for flu - which the pair believe has been caused by the cold conditions they have lived in. "It's dangerous for her health," said Lee. "It could kill her. A cold to us is like flu to her, the flu to us is like pneumonia to her.

"It is a nightmare in cold weather - we have got four cats. We have got to just let them out and then close all the doors to keep the heat in and sit under a quilt on the sofa."

The couple's heating was mended on Friday after a housing association workman went into their flat and investigated.

And a Ryedale Housing spokesman said workmen had experienced difficulties accessing the couple's home "for some considerable time". Lee said this was because his fiancée was sometimes ill and they had asked for workmen to come on another day.

The housing spokesman said the couple's boiler was due for replacement some time this year and that was likely to be brought forward.

Lee said he was pleased the heating was working again on Friday.

But he added: "I'm not holding my breath as to whether it's going to stay or not.

"I'm going to take one day at a time.

"As far as I am concerned, this is the first time it's worked properly in six years.

"We have had hot water, but no heating."