A PENSIONER whose Southamp-ton council flat lets in the rain every winter has been forced to postpone two vital life-saving operations because of bronchitis.

Mother-of-two Gladys Morey desperately needs a double mastectomy to stave off breast cancer but is too ill to go into hospital because of her bad chest.

Every year the 76-year-old widow reports the leak in her home to the council but every year the problem returns.

She said: "When the winter comes, the rain comes."

This year Gladys has spotted fungus growing in the corner of her living-room where the plaster and wallpaper have been slowly rotting for five years.

It became critical in September 2001 when the rain poured "like a waterfall" down her wall - just inches from her television. The council sent workmen round to perform repairs at Gladys's home at Golden Grove, St Mary's, and provided a dehumidifier for a week.

After a week the unit - which cost Gladys £20 in electricity - was removed and it was assumed the problem had ended.

But this year the waterfall has returned and Gladys has been told she has to wait a fortnight for a property inspector to assess the situation.

"They know about this," said the retired cleaner. "Why do they need to send round an inspector? Why can't they just fix it?"

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "We are aware of the problems of water penetration and damp that Mrs Morey has experienced and are working to resolve them."