A determined pensioner who will not shift from his home despite safety fears and notices from the council has said the only place he will move to is prison.

Eric Cox, 83, has lived in his council home, in Roberts Road, Laindon, with his wife and daughter, for 28 years and won the right to buy it after a four year court battle two years ago.

However, it has not been passed over because the council has failed to carry out repairs it was requested to do on it.

I shall not be moved - Eric Cox will not let the council demolish his home Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Last month, the council's executive board agreed to remove the property from council stock and demolish it to avoid in excess of £100,000 expenditure.

Mr Cox remained defiant and vowed he would never leave his home even if the council sent the bulldozers round. Now two notices from the council have been posted through his door with a threat of legal action if he does not comply by November 25.

He said: "They have offered me a bungalow which I do not want.

"If they take me to court I will be there and the only place I will ever live other than here will be in prison."

The council has said the house has severe structural problems caused by land shifting and it is totally impractical and cost prohibitive to repair it.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "We have offered the family an attractive bungalow of similar size to replace this one and we are hoping they will take us up on our offer."

Published Thursday October 31, 2002

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