Some residents say that council flats in Douglas town centre are damp and dark and should be demolished.

The problems in Lord Street were highlighted this week when part of a ceiling fell on one of the tenants.

It was the last straw for Keith Mourant, who wants to know why the buildings have not been replaced.

The 55-year-old who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lives in Athol House on Lord Street and was hit by plaster falling from the ceiling.

Mr Mourant said: ’I was taking my rubbish down on Saturday and part of the ceiling in the hallway came down on me.

’I was lucky in that I turned as I saw it coming and it landed on my back and shoulders rather than my head.

’My friend was in my flat and I stood there and shouted for him to come and take pictures on my phone so we can show the state of the buildings and the damage that has been caused.’

After the incident, Mr Mourant said he rang Douglas Council, which owns the buildings, on its emergency phone number and explained what had happened.

’I told them, the ceiling is going to have be taken down before more of it comes down,’ he said.

’Imagine if it hadn’t come down on me, but come down on one of the older people who live here. I’m concerned by who else it could’ve hit.’

Council workers removed the rest of the plaster to prevent any more of it falling.

However, Mr Mourant said no one from the council has contacted him to check on his condition.

He said that, due to pain in his shoulder, he rang the emergency doctor service and explained the pain.

Since he had not suffered a head injury, he was advised to see his GP.

When he saw his GP earlier this week, he was given pain medication for his back and shoulders.

Mr Mourant said: ’I don’t want to make a fuss, but I am in pain and the state of these flats is just terrible.

’There is damp and black mould. The bathrooms have no windows so there is no real air circulation in them.

’One of the flats downstairs is condemned and blocked off.

’These flats should have come down years ago. They are a health risk but there is nowhere else for people to go.’

The Lord Street flats were built in the 1930s, with contemporary news reports stating the first four blocks of flats were fully occupied by the end of July 1932.

An Isle of Man Examiner report from May 6, 1932, reported: ’These new buildings are at once pleasing to the eye and without doubt add beauty to a town that must live up to and maintain a well-earned reputation for its attractive beauty.

’The exterior elevations of the buildings are a credit to all concerned in the erection of them, and give the flats the quiet dignity and appearance of a high-class residential property.’

The buildings were renamed after the wards of Douglas, Athol, Derby, Hills, Murrays, St George’s and Victoria following refurbishments in 2007.

A council spokesman told the Manx Independent: ’The ceiling has been secured and remedial repair works will be carried out as soon as possible.’