A pensioner said health and safety procedures have gone mad after Basildon Council ordered her to remove Christmas decorations in her sheltered accommodation.

Jan Curtis, 70, has lived in Kenilworth Sheltered Accommodation, in Kenilworth Road, Noak Bridge, for seven years, and has been driven to despair by the council’s orders.

Ms Curtis made Christmas buntings, baubles and other Christmas ornaments which she hung across the pillars inside the accommodation’s common room. She also brought in a Santa, Christmas tree and a garland which are placed by the fireplace. Ms Curtis adorned the room on Monday thinking it would brighten the place up.

However, the festive mood was ruined on Tuesday when the home’s warden said she had to take them down due to health and safety issues.

She said: “I don’t even know what to say. The home has had Christmas decorations for 35 years and Basildon Council said they’re reviewing safety procedures in council accommodations after what happened at Grenfell Tower. They said nothing should be hung on the ceiling or walls.

“But I didn’t have anything on the ceiling or the walls, I just hung the Christmas decorations along the pillars. They said I could only keep the Santa, Christmas tree and garland.

“The council thinks these decorations will be hazardous. If something can cause a fire, it would be the lights on the Christmas tree.

“It’s just ridiculous because the Grenfell Tower fire was caused by electrical appliances and there isn’t anything dangerous in the room. No one smokes, and it’s a non-smoking area.”

The home houses up to 60 residents and they all shared the same sentiment as Ms Curtis. They hoped council would reconsider their policies so everyone can enjoy a nice Christmas.

Ms Curtis said: “I also organised a Christmas lunch and dinner for the residents yesterday, it’s just so they can all have a good time.

“Some residents rarely get visits from their family throughout the year because they live in another county. I’m fortunate because my daughter lives round the corner so I just help others to enjoy the season.

“So this Christmas dinner is just something nice for them. To take away the Christmas decorations and the mood is just sad. We feel helpless. There has been so much terrible news in the world and I just want everyone to be happy for Christmas.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “We will assess each sheltered housing scheme on an individual basis to establish whether the decorations put up by residents are a fire risk.

“We want our residents and their guests to have a happy and safe Christmas.”