AROUND three per cent of Worcester's council tenants are putting their lives at risk because they are refusing the city council permission to check their central heating boilers.

The offenders face the prospect of a court appearance after city councillors agreed at a housing board meeting to issue notices of the authority's intention to take court action.

Boilers in 163 of more than 4,500 properties owned by the council have not been subject to safety checks.

With temperatures dropping and central heating systems in regular use, council chiefs feel further action is needed to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide-related deaths.

"These people are being very irresponsible putting their lives at risk," said Councillor Simon Geraghty, one of the council's cabinet members.

"Having to chase them is costing us money and these resources could be used in a more productive way for the tenants," he said.

"It's the same tenants causing the problems year in, year out. We are going to have to clamp down hard."

Coun Geraghty added that the council could face problems because of the neglect.

"If someone died because of us not carrying out checks we would be in trouble," he said.

Maintenance contractor J Tomlinson Ltd carries out the inspections to ensure that all boilers comply with safety regulations. Some of the properties have been visited more than three times, and the occupants sent numerous reminders.

Philip Betts, the council's director of corporate services, urged those who had not let contractors in to comply with the requests.

"We are under obligation to ensure the boilers are serviced at least once a year," he said.

"We think they should want it done. It's not costing them anything."