AN ELDERLY woman has lost all her lifetime possessions, which included her wedding photos, after contractors cleared out her storage unit without consulting her.

Her daughter, Maureen Rosse said her mother – who does not want her name in the paper – was heartbroken to discover all her belongings had gone.

The 46-year-old from Chalkwell said: “My mother lives in South Essex Homes sheltered accommodation in Southchurch Road.

“She moved flats from the first floor to a ground floor flat and each flat has its own storage unit.

“She was told to keep her belongings in the old flat’s storage unit for the time being but South Essex Homes then gave the keys to external contractors who cleared out the unit and threw everything away.”

Maureen’s mum, who turns 80 this year, kept everything from old family photo albums to valuable cooking equipment in the storage unit and it has now all gone.

Maureen added: “How do you replace stuff like your wedding photos and a lifetime of possessions?

“She was a cook so had a lot of expensive cooking equipment. She has lost a lifetime of possessions and momentos.

“It’s worse than being burgled because they would have just taken things that could have been replaced but left the photo albums and things with sentimental value.

“My mum is absolutely devastated. And South Essex Homes expect my mum just to replace everything and send them the receipt but it doesn’t really work like that.”

Maureen said her mum saw the contractors go into her old flat and even spoke to them.

Maureen added: “What’s really sickening is that they knew it was her stuff.

“She saw them there and even chatted to them.”

A spokesman for South Essex Homes said: “Our colleagues in the council’s insurance team received a claim regarding this case and have investigated on our behalf.

“We all fully understand the sensitivities of this, and are very sorry for the distress this has caused the family, and for the time it has taken to try and resolve this complex issue.

“The detailed investigation by the insurance team has now concluded and consequently an offer has this week been made to the family. At this stage it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”