A DISABLED woman has accused her social housing provider of breaking a promise by failing to prepare her new bungalow in time for Christmas.

Donna Appleby, from Newton Aycliffe, has been living out of boxes and suitcases for weeks after claiming she was advised by a livin employee to start packing ahead of an imminent move.

The 48-year-old, who suffers from numerous medical conditions including epilepsy and deep vein thrombosis, has been allocated a new bungalow as her current home, in Travellers Green, is due to be demolished.

However, she recently discovered the move was unlikely to go ahead until January.

“I am furious,” she said. “Someone from livin came round here in September and said ‘Donna, you will be in your new home and decorating before Christmas so you better start packing.’ I started packing and weeks went by and I didn’t hear anything.

“Now I am told it will be after Christmas.”

livin (corr), which has offered to help unpack Mrs Appleby’s belongings, said no former moving date had been given as it was not possible due to on-going improvement work at the bungalow.

Ian Brown, head of development and allocations for livin, said: “We are working with Mrs Appleby to help her to move to her new home as soon as possible. Improvement works are currently underway to improve the property and Mrs Appleby is fully aware of these works and the fact that her move will happen the moment her new home is safe to occupy."