A GRIEVING daughter has hit out at a housing provider after she claims she has been forced to empty her mother's home.

Anne (Annie) Shane, of Prudhoe, died unexpectedly just 40 hours after returning from the 'best holiday ever' on July 31.

The People's charity volunteer and Brain Tumour Research fundraiser had been celebrating her 83rd birthday in Corfu when she fell and fractured her wrist.

She spent six days in a Greek hospital before being repatriated to the UK where she later died at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).

Now, daughter Diane Shane Stone, of SS Fitness, is campaigning to buy her mother's home in Prudhoe - where Annie lived for over 40 years.

In September 21, Annie applied through the Right to Buy scheme to buy her home from Karbon Homes.

Diane said she had re-mortgaged her property in Ovingham to carry out the purchase and both mother and daughter's wills had been changed.

The personal trainer said she received confirmation of the re-mortgage request while Annie was in hospital but their right to buy was revoked after her passing.

Diane has now said she has been told to pay the rent and return the keys within two weeks.

She said: "Karbon are a registered charity but there is nothing charitable about their behaviour regarding our right to buy my mother's house.

"The application was complete, they did not honour it. Despite offering to pay the full market price, they have rejected our offer, hiding behind legislation. 

"My parents earned the right to buy their house. They paid full rent for over 50 years, never receiving any benefits at all.

"If Karbon are rightfully a registered charity, one would think they would recognise and allow dispensation to good, honest people. My dad volunteered for over 10 years for Age Concern and my mam used to stand in the cold every Sunday night to feed and clothe the homeless.

"I am devastated how they have treated us and ignored my mother's will and application, it is morally wrong and unethical, and we plan to campaign and do whatever it takes to get justice.

"This is our family home, full of memories, I cannot bear the thought someone else could own our home."

Annie had wanted her grandsons to live in the house, where her husband had died of a brain tumour aged 72 in 2016.

Anthony Bell, assistant director for asset and regeneration at Karbon Homes, said: “We understand the unusual and sensitive circumstances surrounding this case and our sympathies are with Mrs Shane-Stone and her family.

“However, we legally must abide by the Right to Buy legislation which doesn’t allow for an eligible family member to buy the home and requires us to continue to offer the home as an affordable home to rent for other local people in need of housing.”

Guy Opperman MP has been supporting the family. He said: “This is a truly tragic situation.

"My thoughts are with Diane and her family, who are having to come to terms with their loss at the same time as navigating this difficult situation.

"I have made representations to Karbon Homes on behalf of the family to ask whether they will change their decision.”

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Simon Clarke was also contacted for comment.