Charity worker's tears over mining eviction threat

A Shropshire charity worker broke down in tears when mining company UK Coal told her that she has just two months in her home before being evicted.

Anne Cotton, who works for Telford and District Guide Dogs, is being forced from her home of eight years because landlords UK Coal want to sell the property located near the controversial opencast mine on Huntington Lane in Lawley, Telford.

Mining chiefs say they need to sell off the house to clear company debt but the devastated 51-year-old said she would "fight to the end" over the eviction.

Miss Cotton who lives with partner Gerald Cooper, 65, at The Uplands on New Works Lane, said the couple were desperate to stay in their home.

She said: "Agents for UK Coal came around yesterday and told us they wanted to work with us to make the move as easy as possible.

"We have lived here for eight years, have dozens of pets, have based our life here and we are told we only have two months to get out. What is easy about that?

"I keep a breeding bitch for the guide dogs but she will now have to go.

"All our other dogs and birds will have to be sold or given away because new landlords are unlikely to welcome us with them in tow."

She added: "The outlook is bleak, but I will fight to the end."

She added neighbours had started a petition against the plans and the matter will be discussed by councillors at the next Lawley & Overdale Parish Council meeting.

She said: "I would like to thank everyone for their help and concern, this is a matter that will not stop with us because UK Coal own more houses in the area and across the country."

UK Coal spokesman Gordon Grant said they were looking to sell 60 properties nationwide and had so far identified two properties near the Telford mine which they were looking to sell.

He said: "We do regret having to do this, it's very sad when someone loses their home.

"But because of re-structuring to our business and a need to pay back debt we are being forced to sell off property."

By Peter Finch