A HOMEOWNER lives in fear of a serious gas explosion at her house after waiting more than two months for a leading gas company to carry out urgent gas repairs at her property.

Maureen O'Neill, of Chesterton Green, Beaconsfield, says she and her neighbours have complained of a strong smell of gas to Transco but the company has yet to repair the gas leak.

The occupational psychologist fears the leak may cause a serious explosion.

She explained: "There is a really strong smell and everyone is talking about it.

"I'm worried there could be a serious explosion and we know from other parts of the country that this has caused streets to blow up."

Since reporting the gas leak to Transco in January, Mrs O'Neill claims an engineer cut off her gas supply but then refused to re-light her boiler and until four weeks ago, a different Transco employee turned up after a neighbour complained about gas stench.

Mrs O'Neill said she was assured the problem would be put right but claims she has waited until Wednesday before the gas company contacted her again.

She said: "When I got home on Wednesday a woman from the call centre had left a message on my answerphone saying do not put on the lights and turn off the gas in the house."

Mrs O'Neill said she then telephoned an engineer from the company who said he had been round on Wednesday and would call back on Thursday if he had time, which he failed to do.

A Transco spokesman says the gas leak does not pose any danger to Mrs O'Neill or to her property and reassures her that the problem will be dealt with.

The spokesman added: "Along with safety considerations, the satisfaction and peace of mind of our customers is paramount, and we have arranged for our engineers to return to Mrs O'Neill's house to repair the leak."