Openreach have apologised due to residents still living without broadband months after Storm Arwen.

Crook village residents have had no broadband since November 29, currently 17 houses in the village are without broadband.

Parish Council Chair, Richard Metcalfe is one of the residents who has been living without broadband.

During this period Mr Metcalfe and his family had to isolate with Covid, as there is no connection within their property Mr Metcalfe had to go outside and book PCR tests often feeling unwell.

Mr Metcalfe said he is unable to perform his Parish Council duties as he relies on the need for broadband which is currently unavailable.

A spokesperson for Openreach said: “We’re very sorry for the ongoing loss of broadband In Crook and understand how frustrating it is. The storm damage along this stretch of cable is severe.. Engineers have started work but this is a complicated repair which includes replacing 15 telegraph poles and specialist drilling equipment from an external company which is needed to get through the rock surface the poles are sited on. Once the poles are in place around 1000 metres of new overhead cable will be installed.

“Engineers worked hard to get temporary service to the village but because of safety issues have only been able to get service to six premises despite their best efforts.

“The level of damage caused by Storm Arwen was unprecedented in recent memory and our engineers have been working flat out in often very difficult weather conditions to complete repairs in the aftermath.”