A PENSIONER who fire chiefs warned could burn to death if there was a fire in her home because of her mobility issues has won a housing battle - after the News came to her aid. 

Barbara Logue, 81, has a string of health problems and her family had been fighting in vain for two years to have her rehomed from her flat in Skelmorlie Castle Road.

During a routine visit, crew from the local fire brigade voiced concerns that the frail OAP would be unable to safely exit her property in the event of a blaze.

Her daughter Barbara Stewart turned to the News to raise the alarm about her mother's desperate plight.

We took the family's concerns to the local authority and within 24 hours the pensioner was offered a new adapted house in Skelmorlie designed specifically for senior citizens.

Barbara said: "My mum has had her name on the council waiting list for an adapted home for a couple of years.

"Our argument from day one was just to get her an assessment, which hadn't happened in close to two years.

"We always hoped that mum would be able to move into one of the adapted houses based in the village which are normally allocated to people of old age and ailments.

"Thanks to the Largs and Millport Weekly News, this has now happened.

"Her mobility had become of great concern. She could shuffle to sit and watch the TV and look out on to her wee garden outside but that was it - she couldn't physically leave the house by her own means.

"My mum has various ailments, including osteoarthritis of the hips, a bad heart and may require an oxygen bottle going forward."

Barbara's difficulties worsened 18 months ago when her husband Bobby died.

Her daughter added: "My dad passed away a while ago and I didn't realise how much was involved in helping my mother as my dad did so much.

"It became a struggle for her to even get to the front door if someone called and even reaching the toilet in time was nearly impossible."

Occupational therapists had suggested trying to adapt the flat, but fire chiefs said they feared she would unable to exit in time in the event of a fire.

The family's pleas for an assessment were ignored and they even wrote to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon about the situation.

Barbara said: "I feel her quality of life is the overwhelming factor here, she had been going downhill rapidly and was becoming completely cut off.

"Now that she has been offered amenity housing, this will transform her life and her mental health."

The pensioner's new house in Skelmorlie will be just around the corner from her daughter in Innes Park Road.

Barbara added: "Shortly after contacting the paper, we received confirmation from the chief executive of the housing department. I would like to thank the Largs and Millport News for their help."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are in a position to make an offer of housing which is suitable to Mrs Logue’s accessible housing needs for the current and longer term and within her area choices. The Largs Housing Office will contact her regarding the offer of housing and viewing of the property."