A MAN who has spent more than three decades living in a council house has been told he must find somewhere else to live in just a matter of weeks.

The property on Eggleston View in Darlington has been the home of Peter Davidson and his wife Edith for the last 35 years.

But following his wife's death at the age of 82 last month, Mr Davidson, 75, received a letter from Darlington Borough Council to say he would have to find a new place to live within eight weeks.

The reason behind the letter was that council properties cannot be passed down more than one generation, and the council claim that the rules are "very clear".

The home in question had previously belonged to the auntie of Mr Davidson's wife, and had more than "50 years of memories" for the family.

But Mr Davidson said he felt the rules were "unfair".

"I was distraught when I got the letter - I have so many memories with my wife in this house.

"I don't know how they expect you to be able to pack everything up and move away from all those memories in just eight weeks."

Mr Davidson also said he was concerned about the prospect of having to move out of the area, and as a result being separated from all of his family.

"It is a three bedroom house and I understand there is a shortage of homes, but I have just been left with this letter and had no help, and it just feels so unfair.

"My family are all living here in streets close by, including my wife's children and grandchildren, and I don't want to move away from them."

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: “The legislation surrounding the succession of tenancies between family members is clear.

"It ensures families do not hold on to tenancies for several generations, so that everyone has fair access to social housing.

“When a tenancy is passed from one family member to another family member, it is made very clear in the terms of the contract that it can only happen once.

“As council housing supply is limited it is important that tenants are placed in homes appropriate to their needs, where possible.

“We are working closely with Mr Davidson and his family to find him a suitable property.”