A DISABLED woman claims she lives in fear for her safety because the council moved her into a real life house of horrors.

Val Cunnington, who has Parkinson's Disease, moved into her rented Penhill bungalow three months ago. But she was shocked to discover that the kitchen cupboards she was shown when she inspected the property had disappeared.

Then she found the porch door wouldn't lock and the front door smashed into plug sockets when she opened it. The final straw came when Ms Cunnington realised that the space left for a washing machine was by far too small for any on the market.

Now she wishes she had never left her old home in Crudwell Way.

"I was in a first floor flat but had fallen down the stairs when the council agreed to move me to a one level property," said Ms Cunnington.

"I was so pleased because they even said it would be painted for me which would have been difficult for me to do myself because I am disabled and on my own."

But when she moved in Ms Cunnington says the reality was quite different.

The 56-year-old said she immediately contacted the council and asked for help in rectifying the problems but was met with a frosty response.

She said her letters were ignored and when she finally spoke to an officer he told her he had a new job and wouldn't be able to help.

Ms Cunnington claims she then lodged a complaint and a housing inspector was eventually sent to see her. He agreed with Ms Cunnington that the plugs were positioned inappropriately and organised that one be moved.

He also told her the lock would be fixed and space created for a washing machine. Ms Cunnington says she has heard nothing since.

"It's my safety at risk at the end of the day.

"These days you just don't know what is going to happen."

Ms Cunnington says she is now finding the stress difficult to cope with on top of her illness.

"I was really happy to move but it has turned into a nightmare.

"The council promises it will do things but it just gets left. I don't know what else to do."

Sarah Deacon, a spokeswoman for Swindon Borough Council, said Ms Cunnington's complaints would be investigated.

An inspector from Swindon Services visited Ms Cunnington at home yesterday and told her all the work would be carried out soon.

Ms Cunnington said: "I am happy so long as it does get done this time."