RESIDENTS and councillors in Walton-le-Dale have been left baffled and angry by a developer's approach to buy houses in the area.

And one 78-year-old woman has revealed her meeting with one of the developer's agents has left her suffering sleepless nights ever since.

Home owners in Victoria Road, Grove Road and Edward Street have been approached by representatives of Stockport-based Roger Hannah &Co chartered surveyors, and had offers made for their properties.

The 78-year-old said: "My whole house was refurbished with a council grant and my money to the tune of £38,000. They are offering what they say is market value but this house has been created for me.

"I have two replaced hips and can't bend down, arthritis so I have special handles to open things and a stairlift to get me upstairs.

"Where am I going to go?

"I fear that if enough people take up the offer and move out, their houses will be boarded up and it will only be a matter of time before the council get's a compulsoty purchase order on the remaining houses to clear us out.

"We asked the man who visited us if the council were aware of the development plans and he said that they wouldn't be going to all the trouble if the signs weren't good.

"I've not slept for a fortnight with worry. If I take the money I will never buy a house to the same standard with the money and I am at an age where I can't be doing that."