A TERRIFIED pensioner is begging her landlord to evict her neighbours, claiming they are making her life a nightmare.

Frail Maria Ashworth, of Welsby Road, Leyland, says relatives visiting one of her neighbours are noisy and abusive, making her day-to-day life in the block of sheltered accommodation an ordeal.

She claims her neighbour has allowed her one-bedroom home to be used by members of her family.

And when Mrs Ashworth complained about the noise her guests were making, she says the family turned nasty.

Despite complaining to police more than 10 times, informing the local council and her landlord New Progress Housing Association, she says the torment has continued.

She said: "I can't go on. It is making me ill. They use my garden as a short-cut, bang against my back door and make so much noise in the night I can't sleep.

"I have asked them to stop but it has got worse. They now scream abuse at me, and are racist towards my German orgins. "They shout and swear at me and it scares me. I close the window blinds in the day and sit here shaking. I can't stand it any more."

Mrs Ashworth, whose mobility is restricted because she has a damaged spine, added: "I just want to have a quiet retirement but the only way that will happen is if I move. Why should I move? I have done nothing wrong but no-one will help me."

A spokesman for New Progress Housing Association, who own the sheltered bungalows in Welsby Road, said: "We are aware of the problems Mrs Ashworth is experiencing, but procedures have to be followed.

"It has to be remembered we are dealing with elderly people, so we have to be very careful and sensitive in everything we do. But we are trying to help her."

A spokesman for South Ribble Borough Council confirmed they had spoken to Mrs Ashworth about the problem, and added: "We would like Mrs Ashworth to write to us so we can look into the issue further. Keeping a diary of events would help."

Leyland Police confirmed they had received complaints from Mrs Ashworth on several occasions, and added: "She needs to contact us during the incident so we can sort it out there and then, rather than reporting it afterwards."

Mrs Ashworth's neighbour declined to comment.

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