ALAN FISHWICK has lost his battle against red tape in a bid to move into his 'family home'. Last week the St Helens Star featured the Fishwick family's fight to win the tenancy of the council house which had been the family's home for more than 25 years.

But this week their appeal for a right to succession to the property has been turned down.

Following the deaths of both his parents, Alan Fishwick, had hoped to take over the tenancy of his parent's three-bedroomed property in Broadway, Grange Park.

But the appeal lodged by Alan and his family has been turned down by the council, who said that the laws and regulations with regards to succession were clearly set and could not be broken.

The council says that because Alan, who currently lives with his wife, Karen, and three sons in a council property in Cumberland Avenue, Portico, had not lived with his parents 12 months prior to their deaths he cannot take over the property.

The decision has been made despite a 200 signature petition and the support of residents in Broadway, who wrote a letter to the council in support of the Fishwicks.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Alan's wife Karen, said: "We are all absolutely destroyed. We were devastated when we received the letter telling us that we couldn't take over the property.

"Alan, his brother and two sisters, were brought up in the house at Broadway and they were all keen for the house to remain the family home. I just can't believe that we've been turned down.

"However, despite the fact our appeal has been rejected, I must thank all the people who supported us in our bid to keep the house in the family."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.