PICTURES: 87-year-old Lostock woman threatened with eviction before Christmas

Lostock woman May Appleton, nee Evans, has been told that her collections, which include valuable dolls, autographs from Hollywood stars of the 1930s and photographs from two decades of Northwich Carnival, are classed as hoarding and are a fire hazard.

She has lived in her Langford Road home, owned by Weaver Vale Housing Trust, for 61 years but has been told she will be evicted on November 24 if she does not comply with the rules.

"What I've got in there is 61 years' of memories," May said.

"I've been happy here for 58 years, it's the last three that have been terrible – I've had more than five letters a week for three years, I've been to court twice in Chester and I've no-one to turn to."

May lives with her three sons Brian, 61, Mark, 51, and Paul, 49, who are also keen collectors, but has no relations outside the family home.

Brian said: "We're not disputing that we've got a lot of stuff in the house but it's our possessions, it's an archive, and it's all clean and tidy.

"It's not junk, everything's got a story."

Among the items are a card from the Queen Mother sent to May's parents to thank them for taking in evacuees during the Second World War, football memorabilia, autographs of politicians and royalty from across the world, LPs and original singles from the 1960s and '70s, childhood toys like mechanical robots and models of Evil Knievel and a collection of cameras.

The family say they have never fallen behind on their rent and have been described as 'pillars of the community'.

They have all been members of the Parochial Church Council in Lostock, Mark helped to found Lostock Village Hall, May and her husband Brian, who died on December 23, 2004, organised street parities for the Queen's Silver Jubilee and May, who grew up in Melchett Crescent, organised a Rudheath Rose Fete for neighbouring youngsters when she was 16.

Brian said: "We've been in no trouble with anyone, not the council, not the police, anybody.

"Everyone's said we're pillars of the community."

Matthew Cox, tenancy management team leader at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said: "It is a very difficult and sensitive situation.

"We have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of the occupiers and their neighbours, as well as the emergency services.

"The sheer volume of material inside this property presents a risk of fire spreading rapidly through the house and neighbouring properties.

"We want to work with Mrs Appleton to help her meet the minimum standards, but despite our best efforts over several years we've not yet been able to reach a solution.

"We have offered Mrs Appleton support and assistance to improve the situation but unfortunately this has not been accepted.

"Court action is our last resort and we are continuing to discuss the situation with Mrs Appleton as we would much prefer to agree an amicable way forward with her co-operation."