A GRIEVING family has accused a North-East council of neglecting the safety of hundreds of old folk.

Shocked relatives of 81-year-old Annie Bell, who died in the smoke-filled bedroom of her warden-controlled bungalow at the weekend, say they are staggered council landlords had not installed a smoke detector in her home.

The relatives, who are seeking legal advice over Mrs Bell's death, say they cannot understand why it has taken so long for Durham City Council to provide protection for pensioners in Woodland Road, Esh Winning.

Mrs Bell, who has lived in the village all her life, moved into the sheltered bungalow eight years ago.

Police and fire officers who attended the scene believe the seat of the fire was in the bed where Mrs Bell, an occasional smoker, was found.

They are certain the mattress had been smouldering for some hours, and a senior fire safety expert spoke of his surprise at finding there was no smoke alarm.

Yesterday, Peter Wilkinson, who is married to Mrs Bell's daughter Julia, spoke of the family's upset.

"We know it looks likely that my mother-in-law was smoking, but that's not a crime, and she would at least have stood a chance if there had been an alarm."

He added: "We are convinced that she might well be alive today if there had been a smoke detector.

"Sadly there is nothing we can now do for my mother-in-law but we are determined to stand up for the other old people who have been placed in such a vulnerable position.''

A spokeswoman for the city council said that while detectors are installed in all newly- built premises, there were hundreds of others which were not equipped.

She added, however, that an external survey had recently been carried out in Woodland Road where detectors will shortly be installed as part of a £500,000 council scheme being carried out on more than 1,000 homes.

Mr Wilkinson also criticised the council for failing to contact the family for three days.

But last night the council's spokeswoman offered the authority's "deep and sincere sympathy'' and offered the use of the Woodland Road's recreation hall for the funeral on Friday.

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