A WOMAN campaigning to keep her late mother's home in the family has complained to the Regulatory of Social Housing.

It comes after Diane Shane Stone, of Ovingham, hit out at housing provider and charity Karbon Homes after she claims it revoked the family's right to buy her mother's Prudhoe property after her death.

Anne (Annie) Shane 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 was repatriated to the UK six days later where she died at the RVI in Newcastle.

Before her death, Annie had applied to buy her home, which she'd occupied for over 40 years, through the Right to Buy scheme.

Diane said she had re-mortgaged her own home to carry out the purchase and all relevant paperwork had been completed.

The family, who will now raise the issue with the Housing Ombudsman and the Charity Commission, say they offered to pay full market price to keep the house, which Diane's eldest son is currently living in.

"They (Karbon) have chosen not to offer discretion - they are able to - saying her house is in a desirable area - a street filled mostly with retired people who have bought their houses via Right to Buy", said Diane.

"While I completely understand the need for affordable housing, there is a three-bed house next to me in the desirable area of Ovingham, managed by Karbon, which has been empty for two years. Prior to the previous tenants, it was empty for over five years.

"They were more than happy for us to buy the property before.

"My mother passed away unexpectedly believing she finally owned her own house after living there since it was built, 43 years ago. She believed the house would be passed to me and ultimately, her grandsons who want to live there. This was stated in her will.

"What about the challenges to my family? We are grief-stricken."

Anthony Bell, assistant director for asset and regeneration, Karbon Homes, said: “Our sympathies are with Diane and her family at this difficult time.

"We understand that the home will hold sentimental value, however, we must abide by the Right to Buy legislation which does not allow us to sell the home to family members who do not have succession rights. 

"As a social housing landlord, our primary objective is to offer affordable homes to rent for local people in need of housing.

"There is a high demand for affordable homes in the Prudhoe area, and we have a number of families on our waiting list in need of a property of this size.”