RESIDENTS in a Nelson street are being charged more than £500 after their local council said they didn't own the paths to their own front doors.

Shocked homeowners have been sent letters telling them they owe 16 years of back-rent on a council-owned strip of land in front of their houses.

Liberata Property Services, working on behalf of Pendle Council, has sent the letters telling residents they have to pay £300 for the lease of the strip of land alongside their terraced properties, and £225 in legal fees.

But pensioner Marjorie Gill, who has lived in Messenger Street for 41 years, said it was the first she had heard of it. She added the council gave residents the land to form part of their gardens when it made the road up 16 years ago.

But today the council insisted it was bound by law and had no choice but to lease back the land to the residents.

Mrs Gill said: "It's disgusting. I'm 75 and I can't do with this. I've lost my husband so I'm on my own. This is not on after 16 years - why wait all that time?

"They gave us that land. They had a little spare ground. They did some houses up and said would you like some extra garden' so they could build a road. If we hadn't said yes they wouldn't have had the road.

"I've lived up here for 41 years. I think it's ridiculous. It's come out of the blue."

Daughter Linda Whittaker added: "My mum's wishes are to die in her own house and if the council goes through with this we will have to pay the £525 so we can carry her coffin to the hearse. What a laugh from a council whose motto is putting people first."

The issue over who owns the land came up when two houses on the street were sold last year. Now council chiefs have drawn up a 999-year lease for the ground and want residents to pay for it - and foot the bill for surveyors' fees.

The letter, signed by property services manager William Hargreaves, states: "It has been brought to my attention that sales of properties in Messenger Street, Nelson, have not been able to proceed because of title difficulties. This is because gardens have been extended onto council land and no agreements have been drawn up to permit this."

The letter continues: "The council wishes to regularise the position for itself and, indeed, for your benefit in order to ensure that you will not encounter difficulties in the future, should you wish to sell your property."

Southfield ward councillor Sonia Robinson promised to look into the case.

She said: "I know the stretch of land and I will certainly look into the matter and raise it with the appropriate person."

A Pendle council spokesman said : "In August last year the council became aware of the fact that residents in Messenger Street had incorporated into their front gardens land which is registered and owned by the council.

"The owners of properties are having difficulties selling their houses as a result of not having title to this strip of land.

"To resolve the situation the council has offered to lease the land to the individual residents. If the residents do not wish to purchase this land they will be required to move back the front fence or wall on to their own land.

"The council is not permitted to give land away for private use."