COUNCIL bosses today issued an apology to the husband of a stroke victim unable to return home because of building delays.

Hyndburn Borough Council promised adaptations needed to the home of Jenny Broome will begin "imminently".

The work required on the house in Second Avenue, Accrington, will enable Jenny, 22, to return home.

Jenny's husband Aaron applied for special disability funding from the council to enable him to adapt the house in October and had hoped to bring Jenny home for Christmas from the rehabilitation unit where she is recovering.

But the 35-year-old graphic designer, who works for a company in Bolton, had his hopes dashed when council officers admitted work had not even begun.

A spokesman for the authority said: "A contractor had now been found to make the alterations and work should start soon. We apologise for any delay."

Jenny suffered the stroke 18 months ago when she was pregnant.

At first doctors suspected a migraine but the problem was eventually diagnosed as a very rare brain stem stroke.

The baby Jenny was carrying had developed kidney problems and the couple were told it would be still-born. Because of the length of pregnancy termination was not an option and she had to deliver the baby.

The stroke has left her quadriplegic and extensive work to the house needs to be carried out before she can return, including the installation of a stair lift.

Jenny was eventually allowed home for Christmas although she was taken back to the Rakehead Rehabilitation Centre at Burnley General Hospital, where she has been recuperating since she suffered a stroke in the summer of 2000.

Aaron said: "We were told in October that it would take 10 weeks and we both thought Jenny would be home for Christmas. The council and social services are just dragging their feet. Jenny is so depressed in the unit.

"I want her home."