A disabled woman has been left fuming after Bradford Council disposed of £2,000 worth of her furniture by mistake.

Wheelchair-bound Jean Lawson put the furniture in what she thought was safe storage when she moved last August.

But the 65-year-old was stunned to learn the items had vanished from Council storage.

Now the local authority, which has admitted the blunder, faces a £2,000 bill for compensation for the her specially-made chair and matching sofa

"It's a disgrace. I'm so angry," said Mrs Lawson, a widow, from Wibsey, who has been forced to sit in her wheelchair.

"I can't understand what's happened. I suspect they've been given to someone else.

"They were in excellent condition and still looked like new. They cost me a lot of money. I have nowhere for visitors to sit when they come round." Mrs Lawson, who suffers from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, said she had the high-seated chair and matching sofa specially made a couple of years ago to help her back problems. They cost £1,000 and each had £500 covers.

After a fall early last year, Mrs Lawson spent eight and a half months recuperating in Abbeycroft nursing home in Wyke.

She said she was told by social workers she wouldn't be able to return to her flat because it was not suitable for a wheelchair, so she moved into a neighbouring property in August.

But, at first, there wasn't enough room for the chair and sofa so they were taken to be stored at Blankeney House, Huddersfield Road, Wyke, by a removal firm.

In January, the Council announced the building was closing down and placed an advert in the Telegraph & Argus, urging people to collect their furniture.

Mrs Lawson said she contacted the Council to arrange to collect her furniture and was told it was still in storage. But she had to go into hospital in February suffering from pneumonia and it was not until now that she discovered her furniture had disappeared.

Assistant Social Services Director Alison O'Sullivan said: "We are very sorry this happened and we are contacting Mrs Lawson to offer her full compensation."

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