Pensioners in west Oxford are complaining that their television reception has gone down the tubes since work started on a new homes-for-rent scheme just yards from their homes.

They say the pictures on their screens are fuzzy and constantly change colour and that the volume spits, fizzles and fades.

Residents of the Bulstake Close flats development, off Botley Road, insist transmission problems only began after work started on the construction of the 10 houses and 34 apartments for the Warden Housing Association earlier this year on the site of the former Osney Court flats complex.

But city council managers say while they sympathise with the elderly residents, there is nothing they can do to help.

Bulstake Close pensioner Peggy Baxter, 79, said: "We've been to the council over this, but no-one wants to know.

"We never had this problem before the work started and scaffolding went up next door."

Like many of those on the site, Mrs Baxter has a direct connection to a communal aerial on the roof of the flats complex, as well as her own outside aerial.

But she insists the only way she can receive most channels without a constant problem is by using her own digital box receiver.

She says it is unfair she and other pensioners are faced with this extra cost simply to receive a decent picture, particularly as most are now retired and living alone, with their televisions as their only source of contact with the outside world.

"It's happening to a lot of people all around the block," she said.

"Older people get a lot of pleasure from their TVs, but no-one seems to want to take responsibility for this. We feel neglected.

"I've spoken to the manager on the site and he said he'd get back to us, but everyone is passing the buck over this. It's just not on."

Andrew Chisholme, project manager for the newly-started flats development, insisted it was a matter between the residents and the city council.

Sharon Cosgrove, the city's director of housing, said: "Our planners are aware new buildings can, on occasion, affect television reception.

"The height of this building meant planners felt it was unlikely to affect reception, but this is always a difficult call. It's difficult to find the source of reception problems and unfortunately this means the council has very few powers to intervene."