Get the pick of the week's stories and fascinating Devon history features direct to your inbox every Saturday morning in our exclusive Weekend Report newsletter Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A woman fighting to save her fireplace says she would “rather die” than lose it.

Jennifer Jenner, 47 from Siddals Gardens in Tiverton says Mid Devon District Council have told her she must remove her front room fireplace for safety reasons, however, she says that is “nonsense.”

She said: “They want to take the fireplace out because I haven’t got a back burner anymore, but that’s nonsense as they have also put a ventilation fan in my front room.

“I have phoned chimney sweeps who have said they can clear it out and that the back boiler is still usable. Why should I give up my fireplace? If I was on the dole or I had kids on my own, or I was Eastern European, no doubt they would let me keep the fireplace.

"My husband works on dust carts for the Council, and I got a job last year. I don’t get anything from the Council so why should I be forced to give up my fireplace?”

Mrs Jenner added that she had an operation two years ago, after which the doctor gave her 25 years to live.

She added: “I told the Council last year I’d rather die than lose my fireplace.”

Mrs Jenner said the fireplace evokes many memories from her 24 years of living in the property.

“Before he died, my dad loved sitting by the fire, making toast and cooking marshmallows. Today my husband sits by it on cold days.”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Director of operations Andrew Pritchard told the Gazette: “The Housing Service is committed to ensuring all our homes are safe, meet the Decent Homes Standard and wherever possible minimise the impact on the environment.

“The many alternatives to solid fuel available to the tenant all offer a safer and more sustainable alternative to solid fuel.”