Residents of a Tolworth block of flats are furious after being told they must pay over £1,000 for new doors - which they belive should cost just £200.

Lease holders at Curlew Court, in Chaffinch Close, were flabbergasted at being told new doors were needed to bring their flats up to fire regulation standard at a cost of £1,106.08 each.

Residents believe that new doors are not needed and the work can be completed for a much cheaper cost.

Paul Bradley, who has lived at Curlew Court for 12 years, said: "We have checked with carpenters and the fire authority and they said only small changes need to be made to our doors to bring them up to regulation standard.

"Even if we were to get brand new doors they would cost no more than £200.

"These ridiculous charges have to be paid on top of our maintenance payment, which is around £1,200, and that only seems to pay for the grass to be cut twice a year.

"My neighbours and I believe it's a travesty that Kingston Council can ride rough shod over its lease holders and charge extortionate charges without recourse."

Regulations state that the doors must be fitted with seals that stop the spread of smoke during the event of a fire but still provide an easy escape route.

The doors on the ground floor of the Curlew Court block have been upgraded with a strip that expands if a fire breaks out stopping smoke spreading through the building. There are no plans to replace these doors.

Councillor Ian George, lead member for housing, said: "The installation of these doors will create safe ‘compartments’ meaning that in the event of a fire, residents can remain safely in their homes while the fire is dealt with.

"This piece of work was put out to tender and the most suitable contractor was chosen based on price and the ability to complete all of the work in a timely and professional way."

Curlew Court residents insist they have been ignored by the council when they have questioned the charges or provided their own assessments of the work that needs doing.

Mr Bradley said: "I have written countless emails to the council explaining my problem with the charges but never received a reply.

"Charging residents almost three times the cost of a normal door set is neither "suitable" nor "professional" in my opinion."