Pensioners are prisoners in their own homes because Bradford Council says it cannot clear icy steps, it is claimed.

Peter Dodgson said he was furious when the council housing department told him it did not have the resources to clear ice-ridden steps leading to bungalows in Skipton Road, Utley.

The 22 steps to the bungalows, where the youngest resident is believed to be 68, provide the main access to the road below, the bus stop and Keighley town centre.

Mr Dodgson, who lives in Silsden, regularly visits his 70-year-old sister, Jo Hall, at her bungalow.

Jo (pictured by the steps) slipped and fell at the foot of the steps on Sunday. Although she was not seriously injured, she is now afraid to go out until the ice melts.

She said: "My sister-in-law came to pick me up. When I got to the bottom of the steps I put my foot out and ended up flat on my back. That's when I decided not to go out again."

Jo missed her weekly visit to her brother's for tea on Wednesday for fear of falling. She said: "I've lived here for 13 years and in that time nothing has ever been done.

"If we fell there would be no one to help us. All we need is a tub of salt and sand. It seems as if we're a forgotten area." Mr Dodgson said: "My sister has been a prisoner in her own home since Christmas for the price of two buckets of sand."

Bradford Council said it was aware of problems in the area and was looking to provide a grit bin.

A spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear about Mrs Hall's predicament due to the recent bad weather. We are aware of certain access problems in the area caused by the icy conditions.

"The council will now look into providing a grit bin for this particular area as soon as possible.

"There is a footpath at the back of the bungalows, leading on to Greenhead Road, which we suggest residents use in the meantime until the frost clears."

l An Oxenhope woman says being neglected by council gritters has left her street "deadly."

Juliet Treape said that in the two years she had lived in Denby Mount it had never once been gritted.

She added: "It's only a small cul de sac but it has thick, solid ice. When you put on your car brakes it just slides. The bottom of the road is deadly." If nothing is done she fears a serious accident at the road's junction with Hebden Road.