An OAP says she has been left "deflated and depressed" at having to spend £150 a week on electricity just to heat her tiny two bed flat in winter."

Diana Ashmore, 70, claims a combination of poor insulation, high energy tariff and her housing block's expensive heating system is fuelling her sky high bills.

Diane who pours almost all of her pension into utility costs, has been calling for authorities to fix insulation problems in her housing block.

But she says the main driver of her huge bills is the high electricity tariff for the building's district heating system, as well as the two-bed flat's single-brick walls and draughty windows.

Ms Ashmore said she spends nearly all of her £460-a-fortnight pension on heating.

Between December 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025, she said she had forked out a staggering £3,500 keeping the flat warm.

She said: "When I get up in the morning, my clothes feel damp because they're that cold."

"It's terrible and shocking that you should have to live life like this in the 21st century."

Ms Ashmore said that while the estate has a gas-fired boiler house across the street, the heat reaches her flat through electric pumps and prepayment meters, meaning she pays electricity to circulate the hot water.

She said the tariff is set at 28.9p per kWh, higher than the UK average of 26p for electricity.

Her housing block, Chevet House, is managed by St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD), which she claimed has failed to act on requests for insulation improvements.

Ms Ashmore said: "We've got single brick with no insulation, and we're all getting drafts through our windows because they're old."

"I've been fighting to get it fixed, but it's like pulling teeth. "

"They can't give you an answer, it's always they have to 'write a report' and then send it to this department or that department."

"I said to them last year that we need to get this sorted before next winter. But here we are again."

Ms Ashmore said Chevet House has seven flats over three storeys, all suffering the same issues.

She added: "Some won't put the heating on because it's too expensive to run."

"Because of the draft coming through, I have to sit with a cover around my ankles when I'm watching TV. I take myself to bed at 6pm to keep warm."

"I'm putting all my money on the heating, so I've got no social life anymore."

Diane also criticised the Labour government's 2024 decision to means test the winter fuel allowance, arguing that she will not receive the funds she would have benefited from.

She says she has worked all her life, paying full rent, and now struggles to cover food, electricity, water, and rent from her limited pension.

Ms Ashmore said: "I can't remember when I last bought myself some new clothes."

But she said she does not want to leave the flat, which she has lived in for 14 years, particularly as it is close to town and she is waiting for an operation on her spine.

However, the high tariff and poor insulation has left Ms Ashmore feeling "deflated and depressed", she said."

She added: "It has just knocked the stuffing out of me. It shouldn't have to come to this, but no one is listening to me."

In a statement, SLHD has previously said: "We have recently carried out surveys at Chevet House and we are reviewing the findings to determine what work may be recommended."

"We remain committed to supporting our customers and will continue to liaise directly with them and address any concerns."

The housing provider was approached for further comment.