MAGNA Housing has promised not to evict an Exmoor pensioner from her home while she is staying with her daughter over the Christmas period.

Seventy-seven-year-old Shirley Fountain spends two months every winter living with family to keep warm because she said it was too expensive to run night storage heaters.

But, shortly before travelling to her daughter’s this year, she received a demand from Magna for outstanding rent and notification of possession proceedings.

Mrs Fountain, who has lived in the home for seven years, denied there were arrears on the property.

She believed the housing association had wanted her out of the property for some time because she did not want to pay for support services she did not need.

Now, Mrs Fountain said she was afraid Magna planned to take advantage of her absence to repossess the bungalow, which she said was damp as well as cold.

She said using night storage heaters affected a chest infection from which she suffered and the solution was to reinstall a coal fire but the association would not do so.

However, a Magna spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting all customers, particularly those who may be experiencing financial or personal difficulties.

“In Ms Fountain’s case, we have made repeated efforts to contact her and signpost her to advice on benefits and financial support, including our money matters team, Citizens Advice, and Shelter.

“Taking legal action is always a last resort.

“Our priority remains to help customers and we continue to encourage Ms Fountain to engage with us so we can provide the support she needs.

“We have been actively working with Ms Fountain regarding the heating system in her home.

“While her preference was for solid fuel heating, which we are unable to provide, we remain committed to working closely with her to explore heating options.”