A council-owned block of flats in St John's Wood has been left without heating or hot water since December 9 leaving residents to “wrap up like Christmas crackers” in an attempt to keep warm.

Residents in Fingest House, in Bernhardt Crescent, say they have been “left high and dry” by Westminster City Council (WCC) and have not been told when the problem is likely to be resolved.

The building’s gas supply was switched off early Friday evening by Cadent, the supplier, following a suspected leak.

The supplier says it needs the go-head by the council before it can "safely proceed".

One resident, who is in their seventies and suffers from  severe rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's Colitis and heart failure, told the Ham&High that they are living in “truly adverse conditions”.

“My fingers are like ice cubes at the moment [..] With the arthritis and stress, it’s making my conditions much worse. And I'm not the only one that’s vulnerable.”

“Westminster City Council have done nothing […] they’re dragging their feet. No one knows what's going on, we’re having to do everything ourselves to solve the issue.”

The UK is currently experiencing a “cold snap” of severe cold weather, with Monday (December 12) the coldest day since December 2010.

Ham & High: Residents say heaters given to them are not 'sufficient' as they battle no hot water or heatingResidents say heaters given to them are not 'sufficient' as they battle no hot water or heating (Image: Cerys Edwards)

Cadent has supplied residents with fan heaters, oil filled radiators and electric stoves since Friday evening.

The resident, who has lived in the building since 1991, described the provisions as “useless”.

“One oil filled radiator isn’t sufficient – there’s hardly any heat coming out of it,” they said.

Neighbour Anwara Bidi described the situation as “terrible”.

“The council haven’t said anything to us," she said. "They didn’t come knocking on the door – we have had to contact them.”

A Cadent spokesperson said: "Gas emergency service, Cadent has turned off the gas supply to Fingest House due to a gas escape. We have ensured residents have alternative cooking and heating facilities and have been keeping people informed as much as possible.

“We have been working with Westminster Council to gain permission to replace the gas pipe to the building and require further information from them before we can safely proceed.

"As soon as this information has been provided to us, we will be able to proceed to restore the gas supply.

They said they hope to get the supply back to residents "as soon as possible."

WCC has been contacted for comment.