Roundshaw residents are demanding compensation amid claims heating and hot water have been off for more than 100 days since the estate's redevelopment began.

In the most recent incident, the two utilities went down for 11 days after repairs to a boiler and a leaking pipe combined to disrupt services from April 15.

In a turnaround on previous policy, the council has agreed to refund a week's heating and water charges to all residents on the estate in recognition of ongoing problems.

And residents in blocks that have experienced particular problems, such as Vanguard Way and Douglas, Brackley, Olley, and Mackintosh Closes, will get a three-week refund.

Residents of Cody, Alcock and Brown Closes will get two weeks. But many people claim the shutdown is the latest example of ongoing problems, which may have left some residents without hot water for more than 100 days since regeneration work began.

Speaking before the offer of a refund, Alan Trelore, who lives in Mackintosh Close, said he had been offered no compensation despite having had no water for more than 100 days in the last two years.

He said: "We still have to pay our charges and get no compensation or refunds. It's an absolute disgrace and is insulting to the people who live here."

Mother-of-four Karen Hewett, who lives in Olley Close, told the Guardian that since last year her family had been lucky to have hot water for two days a week.

"I have asked about rebates and people at the council have told us they don't do them and they don't know which part of the council I would need to ask," she said.

Mrs Hewett said she pays £30 a fortnight for heating and hot water and her electricity bill has gone up by around £5 a week from boiling the kettle for baths.

She said: "When you've got four young children it's absolute murder. I have to boil the kettle at least 15 times to give them a warm bath, which is adding to our electricity bill."

This is the first time people living on the estate have been offered rebates on heating and water charges despite frequent and often lengthy interruptions to service.

The council said it could not give a precise figure for the number of days the services have been down.

A spokesman said anybody seeking further refunds should provide dates and times when services have not been working.

April 30, 2003 10:00