AN ELDERLY couple whose new dream home became a nightmare finally have something to celebrate.

Last December the Argus reported how Reginald and Gillian Watkins were unable to go upstairs in their council home for 14 months - because Torfaen council had not fitted a stairlift.

After we highlighted their plight, the authority offered to re-house them in a bungalow in Croesyceiliog.

But their new home turned out to have plumbing problems - which became so severe they were unable to use their shower for the past five weeks.

They turned to the Argus for help - and after we contacted Croesyceiliog North councillor Jim Davies yesterday, an emergency plumbing team was sent out to end their wait.

Mr Watkins, 71, suffers from chronic ill health, including diabetes and osteoarthritis. His wife, 68, shares problems with arthritis, but her heart is also very weak and the arteries in her neck are closing up. Doctors say the condition is untreatable.

They moved from their former home in Court Farm Road, Llantarnam, to a bungalow in Snowdon Close, Croesyceiliog, at the beginning of the year.

But soon after the couple moved in, they noticed a bad smell - and five weeks ago, sewage seeped up through the floor.

Despite half a dozen visits from council workmen and a number of telephone calls, Mr and Mrs Watkins' floors were still up yesterday morning, with all the pipes exposed .

"We'd been very depressed in Court Farm, but we took one look at this bungalow and we thought it was lovely," said Mrs Watkins.

"We thought we were going to be in heaven,' her husband said. "But this has turned out to be just as bad as the other place."

The council had already promised to finish the work but the Watkins said they could wait no longer.

And councillor Davies told the Argus he was pleased to be able to solve their problem. "A councillor can action things right away because he's in touch with all the people who matter, so it's vital that people contact us whenever they experience problems," he added.

* Pictured: Gillian and Reginald Watkins