A SOCIAL housing provider is under pressure to change its garden maintenance policy after an 84-year-old double amputee was refused help.

Wheelchair-bound Michael Johnson, of Clarence Green, Newton Aycliffe, who must now arrange to cut his own grass and hedges, is calling on his landlord livin to reconsider.

“It is very upsetting, especially as they are cutting all my neighbours’ lawns,” said the former bricklayer, who lost both his legs after developing blood clots four years ago.

“I have had a lot of people coming over to tell me how shocking they think it is.”

livin, which took over Sedgefield Borough Homes’ housing stock in 2009, changed the eligibility criteria this year to focus on vulnerability rather than age and whether tenants have relatives living nearby.

The aim was to make the system fairer to allow more vulnerable people to access the service. However, Mr Johnson said it was unfair to let down elderly people and expect busy relatives to carry out the work.

He also suggested the changes could result in more pensioners being conned by rogue traders.

“I have heard stories of elderly people paying out £20 to someone who has disappeared without doing the work,” he said.

Newton Aycliffe councillor Bill Blenkinsopp has been helping tenants affected by the changes. Earlier this week, he spoke on behalf of Sylvia Snowball, 80, from Aycliffe Village, who was also refused help with her garden.

The partially-sighted pensioner is too scared to enter her overgrown back garden for fear of falling.

But it is Mr Johnson’s case that most disturbs him.

“It is disgraceful,” he said. “He should not have to put up with this. I just hope livin sees sense.”

Tracey Jackson, head of communities for livin, said the service was discretionary and provided to vulnerable tenants at no additional cost.

“The service is funded through rents which are paid by all tenants, therefore, to ensure resources are targeted fairly and effectively, we have developed vulnerability criteria that we apply to all applications,” she said.

“Any tenants who feel they meet the criteria have a right of appeal, in which case a full investigation will be carried out.”

For more information about the garden maintenance service, call 0800-587-4538 or email contactus@livin.co.uk