A FAMILY have spoken of their shock and grief after a devoted grandmother was crushed to death in a faulty housing estate lift.

Christine Allen, 50, of Apollo Place, Leytonstone, died on Saturday after a lift malfunctioned, trapping her inside.

It is thought Mrs Allen, who worked for an animal charity in central London, died instantly when her head stuck the top of the lift as it continued to rise when she entered it.

The grandmother-of-seven had been visiting her daughter and her three children on the Orchard Estate in Woodford Green when the horrific incident happened in the Lambourne Court tower block.

Former boyfriend and carer Rob Russell, 51, was with Mrs Allen when she died.

He said: She had some serious mental health problems, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, agoraphobia and nervous anxiety disorder, so it's a miracle she ever got out of the house.

“She loved her grandkids though and would visit them three or four times a week.”

He added: “She was an absolute star and she had so much empathy for other people's problems.

“She hardly ever thought about herself.”

Mrs Allen's daughter Laura Dawkins, 26, said: “She was very bubbly and a beautiful woman and the best mum and nan in the world.”

She added: “All her grandchildren loved her and we were very close.

“She was my mum, my best friend and my soul mate.”

Residents of the housing estate say Redbridge Council had been warned numerous times about problems with the lifts.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council and Redbridge Homes, who manage the estate, said: “Like the residents of Lambourne Court, we were shocked by this tragic death.

“Our sympathy is with the family. Redbridge Council and Redbridge Homes will be working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to find out exactly how this happened.

“We can't comment further during the investigation.”

Mrs Allen leaves behind her husband Leslie, two daughters Laura and Yasmine, and seven grandchildren, Alisha, Ismail, Suleiman, Layla, Skye, Chloë and Matthew.