Norwich family plead with city council to help fix power

Jay and Keshia Hemmings were told they were not allowed to enter the room by Norwich City Council, after part of the ceiling collapsed following a water leak last month.

Officials even put up a 'no entry' sign on the door, warning people not to enter.

Council workers eventually managed to patch up the hole enough for the family to get into the room for Christmas, but five days later the family lost power to half the house, including the ill-fated living room and some bedrooms.

Just before Christmas the family were not allowed in their living room due to a leak which damaged the roof (Image: Keshia Hemmings)

They believe the fault may be linked to the original leak but have not yet been able to confirm this.

They contacted the council's emergency out of hours line on December 29 - the day after they lost power - but Mrs Hemmings was told it was not an emergency, leaving the family once again unable to use their living room.

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The couple live in Appleyard Crescent, in Norwich's Mile Cross area, with two sons, 9 and 13, and a daughter, 12.

Keshia Hemmings with her husband Jay Hemmings and three children (Image: Keshia Hemmings)

Mrs Hemmings, 34, said: "My sons, who are non-verbal autistic, require high level care so it's not as simple trying to explain to them why my oldest can't watch the telly before he goes to sleep, which he likes to do.

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"We're now back to square one with all of this and not having access to certain rooms will affect my sons' moods drastically.

Power has gone out in half the house, including the boy's bedroom and the living room, pictured (Image: Keshia Hemmings)

"The council said to run extension leads throughout the house but it's not possible for us.

"The council have said they will arrange something when they're back in the new year."