A pensioner died in cold and poverty because the authorities failed to help him even though they knew of his problems, his daughter has claimed.

Josef Krasy was 73 when he died in a freezing and half-empty council flat at Beaver Tower in Eastwood in November last year.

A coroner recorded a verdict of death from natural causes brought on by heart disease, but social services bosses said they believe he died from hypothermia.

Today his daughter Joanne Polkinghorne accused Southend Council and the Department of Social Security of failing the former Polish soldier who made England his home after the Second World War.

His problems were compounded by the fact that, despite living in the UK for more than 50 years, he spoke and read little English.

He didn't understand the complex benefits forms given to him by council staff and when his daughter tried to intervene on his behalf she claims she was told they could not discuss his situation without him being present.

She said: "He couldn't fill in forms. He was losing benefits. He was so scared about not being able to pay his bills that he dared not turn on the heating in his flat. He would just put on another jumper."

An investigation by the chief executive's department into whether the council could have done more for Mr Krasy has still not been completed - more than a year after he died.

Social services bosses said they offered Mr Krasy help but he refused it saying it was money he needed, not care.

His case prompted Southend West MP David Amess to launch his Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill. He has called on the council to report its findings urgently.

Mrs Polkinghorne described the day she entered her father's flat in Mansel Close on November 20 1998 after a neighbour had found him dead.

She said: "It was heartbreaking. He had just a bed, a radio and a chest of drawers. He had so little furniture."

A council spokeswoman said: "It is unsatisfactory that we have not reached a conclusion in the investigation and we regret that is the situation.

"However, the chief executive is expecting a rapid conclusion to the investigation which will be completed by the borough solicitor."

Heartbreaking - Joanne Polkinghorne with pictures of her father who died in his freezing council flat last November

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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