BREXIT has been blamed for an inability to immediately source repair parts following further failures with a £9 million home heating system in Greenock, a councillor claims.

Colin Jackson says he was told by engineers assigned to fix problems associated with the Broomhill biomass boiler that the delay was down to complications arising from the UK leaving the European Union.

Six-hundred properties at the River Clyde Homes housing scheme — recently refurbished as part of an overall £30m regeneration programme — are dependant on the system for heating and hot water.

A number of residents have been left without either after their individual household 'heat exchanger' units broke down.

Councillor Jackson told the Telegraph: "Engineers have admitted to me that replacement parts are unavailable due to Brexit.

"One resident was using her electric shower to fill the bath so her young kids could get washed.

"This system was meant to save people on low incomes and take them out of fuel poverty."

In an email to Labour man Mr Jackson, RCH chief executive Richard Turnock said on February 3: 'We understand that the contractor did not have stock of the replacement part required.

'According to our contractor, the parts are generally sourced from a German supplier and they are apparently experiencing stocking delays.'

Mr Turnock added: 'However, the RCH energy and compliance team have called around other suppliers and they have sourced an alternative UK supplier'.

The stock was due to arrive over the last few days.

But Councillor Jackson says he is not satisfied with this response, adding that it raises more key questions.

He said: "Is this replacement part a permanent fix or a temporary workaround?

"What happens if another, different part breaks when we know the manufacturer can't supply parts?

"Will tenants need to wait again until a replacement part can be sourced?"

The councillor added: "Seven people contacted me last weekend, but this could happen to anyone there.

"I spent Friday and Saturday night on the phone to RCH to arrange for electric heaters for people's houses."

Biomass boilers are similar to conventional gas boilers but instead of using gas or oil to produce the heat, they combust sustainably-sourced wood pellets.

In the email correspondence, RCH's Mr Turnock said: 'We understand that the issue relates to the wear and tear within the heat exchanger which necessities a repair and replacement part.

'These types of call outs generally occur more frequently in the winter when the heating system is in use more often.'

Councillor Jackson says he was stunned to hear 'wear and tear' cited.

He said: "This is a brand new system, so what exactly is the lifespan of these 600 heat exchangers and are they fit for purpose?

"Tenants without hot water are burning kettles to clean dishes."

Lesley Anne Burns, compliance and energy manager at RCH, said: "We became aware, via direct contact with customers and Councillor Jackson, that a small number of customers were experiencing problems with their heating and/or hot water systems.

"This was due to wear and tear of parts.

"Our contractor was experiencing problems in sourcing stock of the replacement parts required.

"Those affected customers have now been contacted for us to gain access to repair the problem.

"All customers whose heating was affected were offered temporary heaters, which is our normal practice when the heating cannot be repaired during the initial call out.

"All customers who were affected by the parts issues will be contacted so that they receive an appropriate meter credit."