VILLAGERS have launched a campaign to stop a grieving son from losing his home of 46 years.

Residents have started a petition and threatened to stop council officials from evicting David Barnes from the council home he has lived all his life.

Mr Barnes, aged 53, of Vale Avenue, Stoneclough, was told he had no legal right to stay in the council house following the death of his mother, Dinah, in August, because of a bureaucratic error.

Government inheritance rules mean tenancy rights to council houses can be passed from one family member to another only once. When Mr Barnes' parents took on the house in 1959, it was only registered in the name of his father, Harry Barnes and when he died 23 years ago, the family used up their inheritance rights when the three-bedroom home passed to his wife.

Mr Barnes, a porter at the Royal Bolton Hospital, cared for his mother at the family home until her death, aged 82.

Bachelor Mr Barnes said: "Mum had Alzheimer's and I was her full-time carer for the last four years of her life.

"A couple of days after mum's funeral, somebody from Bolton at Home came round to the house and told me I would have to leave.

"I just couldn't believe it. I'd just lost my mum and now I was going to loose my home. I didn't know anything about these rules."

Mr Barnes was offered a one bedroom flat in Slackey Brow, but he turned it down because he wanted to stay in the village, even though it could be years until suitable accomodation is found.

Friends and neighbours have rallied round and the Stoneclough Action Group has launched a campaign to allow Mr Barnes to stay in the village.

Chairman Pat Carter said: "David is a kind, gentle, lovely man. I've known him and his family since he was a boy. He doesn't deserve any of this. He looked after his mother throughout her illness and this is the home he's lived in all his life. He doesn't know where to turn.

"He was the one that paid all the bills but no-one advised him to put his name on the rent book.

"We started a petition in the village against his eviction last week which we're planning on presenting to councillors at the Farnworth and Kearsley area meeting next Monday.

"We've got more than 100 signatures so far and we're expecting to get at least another 100.

"We know that time is running out but if needs be we'll be out by the gates stopping them from evicting him."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Bolton Council are working with Bolton At Home to explore the opportunities available for Mr Barnes, while ensuring three bedroom homes are used to accommodate larger families whose need for space may be greater.

"At the moment we are doing everything we can to support Mr Barnes through this difficult time."