ELDERLY people at sheltered complex were today reassured that the social area they have lovingly created will not be ruined.

ELDERLY people at sheltered complex were today reassured that the social area they have lovingly created will not be ruined.

Residents of Yetton Ward house at Felixstowe believed they had been told to remove all the items they had put in to make it homely - leaving it with just a few chairs and a table.

But Flagship Housing, which owns the 31 flats in Cricket Hill Road, said there had been a misunderstanding and the equipment did not have to be taken away.

Resident Mima McKenna, 62, said the residents had been given the impression that all the extra furniture they had brought in, including comfortable chairs, a karaoke machine, cushions, hi-fi, fridge and other items, were not welcome.

She said electrical items had to be tested for safety - and if they were found to be less than satisfactory would have to be removed.

“We also understood that after they were tested they would belong to Flagship,” she said.

“These new rules have been causing great distress to everyone.

“Since we have not been allowed to smoke in here, people have been using the social area less and less and if we have to take away the things which make it homely they will not want to come at all.”

A spokeswoman for Flagship said no furniture or equipment was being removed.

“We have a duty to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe at all times, especially those in the communal areas where they can be used by everyone,” she said.

“If an item has been donated and is being kept in the communal area then it can be used by all tenants, but if anyone has any personal items in that area we would ask them to take them back to their flats.

“We simply want to make sure everything is as safe as possible.”

How should communal areas in sheltered homes be run? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk