What are my options to fix this faulty switch? Pics included

[NewOrder]

The bathroom pull cord has fallen of the ceiling as the ceiling appears to be rotten. There dosn't seem to be any joists underneath it, so it was screwed into the plaster.

The wire goes into a junction box made with terminal block and insulation tape (1980 ), I don't want to touch this so replacing the cable and moving the switch is not really an option.

What is the best way of fixing this legally?

Edit I have not had a look at this probably yet, the pic was taken with my SLR, but does that wire appear to be 1mm T&E as it thick enough? I am sure it is PVC.

 

[333rocky333]

Looks like it may have had one solid screw fixing it, and that has pulled through the brittle back box hole

 

[NewOrder]

I've just had a look and there is two other screws inside the switch which have pulled from the ceiling.

 

[JohnD]

can you get at the upper side of the ceiling, from the loft?

 

[NewOrder]

I can do but not that easily but it is certainly possible if thats the only way to doing it. I thought about joining a new wire and moving it, but that requires use of a junction box which would be against the regs as there would be no access to it, and I am not going to attempt soldering especialy in the loft.

 

[JohnD]

cut a lump of timber which is a close fit between the joists, drill a large hole in it that the wire will go through.

Disconnect the light switch, screw or nail the lump of wood between the joists so the hole is above where the wire goes, and the wood is tight to the plasterboard.

poke the wire through the hole, reconnect the switch, screw the switch through the plaster into the lump of wood.

 

[sealeon]

Could you use toggle bolts maybe
www.ameribestfasteners.com/toggle_bolts.htm
Its a US site but they have them in UK too
Above suggestion would be better though but depends on access etc

 

[pbar]

Those toggles though, have a disadvantage in that if the switch is unscrewed in the future, for decorating or whatever, you would 'lose' the spring part of it in the loft void. Those screw in plasterboard plugs are better and very strong also, although I doubt would suffice here due to the condition of the ceiling in that area as they are quite gruesome when being screwed in.
I would say the Johnd option is best. And if you can't fit the wooden baten in between two joists, put a smaller piece of wood in position, and have someone in the loft hold it while you screw into it.