A housing group has issued an apology for an “unacceptable situation” which saw elderly residents trapped inside their properties when a lift broke.

A number of residents living above the ground floor at the retirement complex at Vicarage Court, off Chapel Hill, Halstead, have been unable to leave their homes as a result.

With some residents unable to use the stairs, they were left stranded in their properties while they waited for the lift to be fixed.

One resident, who is in her nineties, then got stuck inside the lift after it had been fixed by engineers last Friday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called in to help rescue the pensioner, who had returned from her first trip out of her flat for over a week.

A visitor to Vicarage Court told the Gazette: “Some of these residents haven’t been able to get out for weeks.

“It’s unbelievable that the lift hasn’t been fixed properly. How can it just be left like this?”

Following reports of problems with the lift, Notting Hill Genesis, which runs and manages the retirement properties, has apologised to residents.

A spokesman said: “We are aware there have been ongoing problems with the lift at Vicarage Court and apologise for any inconvenience that has caused to residents.

“We are undertaking a comprehensive investigation to better understand why the lift is breaking down so it can be fully repaired.

“In addition, we have arranged for a stair lift to be installed next week to provide an alternative for residents.

“Our older people leaseholder manager will be visiting Vicarage Court in the coming days to apologise for the issue face-to-face and reassure residents that we have plans to address this unacceptable situation.”