THE owner of a Gwent estate agency says she is lucky to be alive after the ceiling of her town centre office collapsed on top of her.

Pam Jakeway, (pictured) the proprietor of The Home Office on Bridge Street, Newport, was working in her office on Saturday morning when the roof caved in, covering her in debris.

The 46-year-old escaped with minor cuts and bruises but was left severely shaken by the incident.

She is now seeking legal advice regarding the liability of the building's owners. A Newport council spokeswoman confirmed that the environmental health department was conducting an investigation into the incident after visiting the building yesterday afternoon.

Ms Jakeway, who lives in Newport, said: "I heard a crack, it sounded like something giving way. A big chunk smashed down right beside me.

" If I had been leaning back in my chair a few inches back, it could have been much worse. I just ran out of the office, because I was afraid that the whole building would collapse. I was so shaken that I was physically sick."

Ms Jakeway claimed that when she looked at the wooden supports in the roof she could see they had woodworm.

Ms Jakeway claims the supported ceiling panels obscured the rotten wood supports between the ground floor.

She said: "I have been in construction and this business for 23 years, and have seen enough houses with woodworm to know that this rot has been there for a long time." She added: "I am not sure what action I will now be taking, but I will be making a big noise about it."

The Home Office moved into the premises in December 1999, and is still open for business, although Ms Jakeway's office has now been sealed off.

One of the part owners of the building is Roland Arthur, a senior partner with Newport solicitors firm, Harding Evans. When contacted by the Argus in relation to the incident he declined to comment.