An MP says the cost to put sprinklers in Croydon's tallest tower blocks should fall on the government, not the council.

After the Grenfell tragedy in June 2017, the Croydon Council announced it would retrofit sprinklers in the borough’s 25 tower blocks of 10-12 storeys and an eight storey sheltered block.

Overall, 1,252 flats are getting the sprinklers fitted and so far 744 have been completed at a cost of £10 million to the council.

Ivan Thompson lives in the sheltered block in Fisher Close, Addiscombe, where the new sprinklers have just been installed.

The 74-year-old, who has lived in the block for more than 10 years, was housebound for a few months earlier this year after a fall which damaged his kidneys.

He said he would have tried to get out if there was a fire but feels safer now he knows the sprinklers would work.

“I think I am protected now – it’s a good thing,” said Mr Thompson.

“After Grenfell it was a shock when I was watching it on the news and seeing all the lives that were lost.

“I have spoken to some of the other residents and they are happy about it too.

“To think that I am protected now is a good thing.”

But Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones said it is unfair that the council has had to foot the bill for the works.

The shadow housing minister said: “After the Grenfell fire, the government said they would do everything that was necessary to improve safety.

“One of the necessary things is putting sprinklers into our high rise blocks because evidence shows that it saves lives.

“Given the state of local government funding at the moment I think the government has a duty to step in and and provide a resource.

“Croydon has had to make a difficult choice about where the money is going to come from and that is not fair.”

Croydon was the first council in the country after the Grenfell Tower fire to announce it would install sprinklers in residents’ flats.

It has since written to the government three times to ask for help in funding the retrofitting project, so far to no avail.