A number of elderly people living in sheltered accommodation in Holbrook will receive emergency supplies tomorrow after a cancelled oil delivery left them without heating overnight.

The residents of Samford Close in Holbrook were due to face the return of the ‘Beast from the East’ with only “tiny fan heaters” to keep them warm, until Babergh District Council organised an emergency delivery in the nick of time.

The oil should have been distributed on Monday, March 12, however the council’s supplier was unable to make the delivery.

After it became clear that the residents would be left without oil until after the weekend, Babergh council provided a substitute in the form of portable fan heaters – which some said were insufficient.

Fortunately, the council was later able to organise a delivery at short notice, which will provide enough oil to last the residents until the regular delivery is made next week.

One resident, whose husband suffers from a heart condition, said the pair had thought they would have to wrap up extra warm this weekend.

She said: “The bedroom and the bathroom are cold, and [the fan heaters] are going to burn the electricity. We will be wearing plenty of layers.

“We are lucky there are two of us.”

Tracey Folkard, whose parents live in the sheltered accommodation, said she was concerned that the mistake could have had “serious consequences.”

A spokesperson for Babergh District Council said: “An oil delivery was scheduled to be made at the start of this week, however the supplier was unable to make this delivery.

“After making enquiries we were informed that the supplier would not be making this delivery until after the weekend, at which point we immediately provided electrical heating to residents to cover any gap in heating.

“We have managed to secure a delivery tomorrow with enough oil to last until our regular delivery is made next week.

“We are of course very disappointed with this delay and will be raising it with the supplier at the first opportunity.”