A PENSIONER with a heart condition complained about the broken lift in her block of flats just a few hours before she had another seizure.

Now her son is calling for the lift to be fixed or replaced -- so she and other residents will not have to scale the stairs again.

Sheila Walker, aged 64, contacted the Bolton Evening News on Saturday saying her lift in town centre Hargreaves House was almost always out of action.

Just a couple of hours later she collapsed in her room and had to be rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where she has since been recovering.

Her son Michael said: "The lift in her block breaks down two or three times a day. Many of the residents are pensioners. They shouldn't be forced to keep walking up all those stairs."

The lift was installed when the block of 18 flats, in Great Moor Street, was built more than 40 years ago.

Residents say they love their flats but many of them are elderly and getting access to their homes is becoming a problem.

Mrs Walker, who lives on the second floor, had her first heart attack in November.

The lift was working when she used it on Saturday, but her son believes that repeated walking up the stairs may have contributed to her second seizure.

He said: "The broken lift may have been a factor. It should be fixed or replaced straight away."

A spokesman for Bolton At Home, which manages the council's housing, said: "The lift is managed by a contractor. We are disappointed by the level of support the firm has given. We will be looking for a new contractor. People need the lift to be accessible at all times."