AN investigation is to take place after a grieving Morecambe man was sent a £12,600 bill for council refurbishments to his late mother's house.

Last month the Citizen revealed how Mr Gary Gibbons (pictured)was left stunned after the council billed him for repairs to his late mother's property - even though they had assured the family that any debts would die with her.

He maintains that his mother was pressurised into having the work done and that, despite council claim's that £12,600 worth of renovation work was carried out, the house in Byron Road increased in value by just £1,000.

Following the elections the newly elected MBI group said they would look into Mr Gibbons complaints and this week, following consultation with the council's legal department, they called for the debt to be waived. They have also called for an investigation into Mr Gibbon's allegations.

"It's looking like this nightmare will finally be resolved, which is great news," said a relieved Mr Gibbons.

"All this hassle has been very stressful. We've not been able to properly lay my mother to rest while all this worry has hung over us. I'm delighted that it looks like being sorted out and I'm very pleased that an investigation is to be held to look into this matter."

Private Housing chairman Cllr David Kerr said: "The public can be assured that great care will be taken to ensure that similar problems don't arise in the future."

Ward councillor, Paul Morris, added: "This was an unacceptable state of affairs which should never have happened. It's just one of the many problems inherited from the last Labour administration which has now been rectified."

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