'My home is still damaged 17 years after earthquake'

INSURER HAS CARRIED OUT WORK ON PROPERTY BUT OWNER CLAIMS THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS

- By PETER CRAIG

THE owner of a home affected by the 2008 Lincolnshire earthquake says she is still seeking further help from her insurer 17 years after the devastating damage to her country home.

Margaret Castle says her home was structurally damaged by the earthquake, which rocked towns and villages in the Humber and Lincolnshire region on February 27, 2008.

The Victorian-built home was shaken to its foundations and water has continued to get into the brickwork as a result, she claims. She says a large crack also appeared through the stables of The Old Schoolhouse, Linwood, near Market Rasen, and under the outdoor septic tank.

Work has been carried out by insurer Aviva over the years since, and they say that following multiple further inspections, any existing issues have been found to be related to the age of the house and ongoing maintenance needs.

However, Margaret disagrees with these findings.

The town was at the epicentre of the earthquake which struck in the early hours and measured 5.2 on the Richter scale and was felt in Hull.

Emergency services worked through the night and the following day to safeguard properties and residents.

Margaret, who has Masters Degree from the University of Hull, says she had to wait for days for anyone to come to assess the damage at the renovated home, which was built in 1862.

Contractors and repairers were busy throughout northern and greater Lincolnshire restoring buildings.

Margaret moved to Linwood, just four miles from Market Rasen, 43 years ago and has spent tens of thousands of pounds renovating the home and former school room, which she transformed into a holiday let.

Margaret claims renovations to the old School Room have been blighted by damp and mould and water accessing electrical points.