A 63-year-old woman who has been left with three broken teeth, a broken kneecap, back pain and bruises on her arms and legs after a fall in Royston High Street has vowed not to return until the pavement is resurfaced.

Janet Heasell, who volunteers as a community transport driver, is still in excruciating pain after tripping over the pavement outside Howes Opticians last Tuesday morning.

She said: “It was awful, it felt like my teeth had gone straight through the back of my head. People came to help and an ambulance was called to take me to hospital.

“One lady came with her sandal to show she had just fallen over further down the street. I was trying to support Royston by shopping there – it’s not on.”

A week later and Janet is still only able to walk with a frame – the pain in her back is getting worse and she’s not able to take strong painkillers as they make her ill.

She said: “I have had carers come over for the last few days and they are often in a rush, but my neighbours Pete and Yvonne Stallard have been so helpful, Pete is 87 and has been making meals for me.”

The state of the High Street has been a source of contention in the town, and highways officers recently announced that the road will be tarmacked within the next financial year.

But for Janet, pictured right, this news provides little comfort, and she is calling on urgent action to be taken.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. I’m not going to go down quietly. I’m in so much pain.”

Janet will turn 64 on Wednesday and was looking forward to going to London to see the musical Into The Woods, but is now left at home in incredible discomfort. She can only eat soft food, and the dentist said it could take at least six months to sort her teeth.

She added: “I could do with five minutes without pain, I’m not able to sleep that well.”