A WOMAN who lost her mother now faces losing her Barry home.

Just three days before Christmas Diane Everest - who lived with her daughter Leanne, and grandchildren Caitlyn (20) and Louis (18) - was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Leanne cared for Diane at their council-owned home of more than 27 years. Sadly, while awaiting surgery, Diane died on February 11.

45-year-old Leanne said: “My mum was a wonderful person with a heart of gold.

“She was so selfless and caring and would do anything for anyone. She would go without to make sure everyone else was okay.

“She was my mum, my rock and my world and we all miss her so much.”

Diane, who was 73, lived and worked in Barry her entire life, including more than 35 years as a cleaning supervisor at Holton Primary School.

She was due to retire last Christmas, but this “cruel twist of fate” meant she never got to enjoy retirement.

While mourning, Leanne discovered that she cannot take over the property’s tenancy and will have to move.

Although Vale of Glamorgan Council will put her family in temporary accommodation, while they pursue a permanent home, the situation has added financial worries to Leanne’s stress.

“My mum passed with no savings and I’m waiting on Universal Credit,” said the single mother.

“I have little money for rent and bills, let alone two moves and everything else I now need to pay for.

“My family is grieving and now we have to lose our lovely home while I try to arrange the funeral.

“The council can’t tell me where the new accommodation will be - I don’t drive so I have travel concerns.

“I’m sharing my story to raise awareness of the issue and save others going through the hell I’m going

through.”

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Ms Everest and her family to find suitable accommodation and would like to offer our sympathies following their recent loss.

“The law allows only one succession per tenancy to ensure properties become available to applicants on the Housing Register.

“If we did not do this, properties could perpetually be kept within families and new applicants would have limited opportunities to secure council accommodation.

“Currently, there are over 5,000 households on the register, including many homeless households and people in acute housing need.

“Ms Everest and her adult children have been referred to our Housing Solutions Team who will help them find alternative accommodation and the Money Advice Team.

“While a notice to quit has been served, which expires at the end of March, they will be allowed to stay in their current accommodation until alternative accommodation is found.

“The Council will continue to support the family and work with them to ensure the best outcome is achieved.”

Leanne has set-up a GoFundMe page at http://bit.ly/2NQFYdX