Pensioners have been left shivering at a dilapidated day centre in Walsall they say has no heating, hot water and rain pouring through holes in the roof.

The Leamore and Blakenall Senior Citizens Centre, founded in 1975, has been left to fall into disrepair with its elderly members forced to sit among buckets put out to catch rainwater. During games of dominoes, snooker and cards, members have to cosy up to electric heaters because the central heating does not work. Outside the rundown building, plasterwork is peeling off.

Long-standing committee member Ken Yates, aged 76, said: “It is really rough at the moment. We feel as if the social services have washed their hands of us. The building is nothing more than a prefab really and it is being left to rot.”

Mr Yates said owners Walsall Council and Walsall’s New Deal had talked of building a new centre around three years ago and plans had even been drawn up, but nothing had materialised.

He said: “We haven’t a clue what happened with those plans, but we haven’t heard anything.”

The centre, off Blakenall Lane, Leamore, and also known as The Sons of Rest, has around 35 members but only around a dozen men still meet at the centre five days a week.

They include some in their 90s and former World War Two veterans. A ladies section folded years ago.

Mr Yates said: “It used to be nice and warm when we arrived as the central heating had been on, but now it is freezing until the electric heaters warm up the room. The council pays our electric bill and phone bill but that is it.”

Walsall’s New Deal for Communities spokesman Andy Bradley said: “We have got some plans for Leamore Park for which the Sons of Rest have been consulted, but these are long term plans which are in the hands of the council.

“The building is council property, the group is the council’s tenant. It is a matter for the council.”

Walsall Council spokesman Dan Slee said the authority was looking into the claims.