A NEW block of flats is being blamed by residents for affecting their TV signal.

The problems coincided with building work starting on a new apartment complex in Parrock Street, Gravesend.

Residents began to suspect a tower crane used for the work was affecting their TV signal.

However, now the building is nearing completion the problems have still not gone away.

And residents are blaming the Barratt Homes development for causing them.

They say digital channels they pay for sometimes disappear.

And they claim up to 20 channels, including Five, are affected, sometimes at the same time.

They have made calls to the council to help them resolve the problem.

Wellington Street resident Len Ostheimer says a bounce-off aerial should be put up to sort out the problem.

Joyce Johnson, 80, says her television reception has been disrupted since Christmas.

She said: "Lots of people have had a problem. We are not the only ones.

"Signal goes and comes back again. It's been terrible."

Central ward councillor Bronwen McGarrity says elderly and disabled residents have had to buy boosters costing nearly £100 so they can watch all the channels.

She said: "The building would appear to be the cause but the difficulty is proving it.

"Boosters cost between £50 and £100 and these people have not got the money.

"They are still not getting a decent reception."

A spokesman for Gravesham Council said: "It is unclear whether the problem being experienced has anything to do with the development.

"The question of signal strength and reception is essentially one for the broadcasting authorities but the council has written to the developer asking for the matter to be investigated to see if anything can be done."

A Barratt spokesman said: "We received a letter from Gravesham Council and immediately instructed our contractors to investigate the problem. We are awaiting their report.

"In view of the fact Barratt's development in Parrock Street is substantially smaller than the neighbouring buildings, it seems extremely unlikely the new development is affecting the television reception of nearby residents.

"However, we are fully investigating this issue."