A MOTHER-of-three says she has been left "high and dry" by a York housing association after they pulled out of buying her home.

Amanda Barron, 40, says she was "within days" of signing contracts with Yorkshire Housing Association to confirm the sale of her former council house in Chapelfields Road, when they called it off.

She claims she forked out more than £700 in solicitor's fees and other costs as she was set to put in an offer on her "ideal" home, in nearby Westfield Place.

"I've been packing our stuff up for months - I was ready to move out," she told the Evening Press.

"I've been really let down.

"As a housing association they should be a lot more responsible. I thought they were supposed to help people?

"The house I wanted to buy is likely to have been sold by the time I get round to selling this place. I even bought some curtains for it because I was so sure of moving in.

Miss Barron claims the association pulled out of buying at least five other properties as well as hers in the Chapelfields area.

But Joe Bvumburai, York Housing Association's group development officer, said they pulled out of the deal because a block of 12 properties became available elsewhere in the city. They will be made available to City of York Council as affordable homes, as part of a deal to provide 16 properties.

He said Chapelfields was also not ideal because another housing association already operated in the area.

"Contracts were not exchanged so I'm surprised that she (Miss Barron) has had to pay solicitor's fees," Mr Bvumburai said.

"Obviously when people expect a transaction to go through, it's always a disappointment when it doesn't.

"It's always regrettable when that happens, but we can't do things that are not in the interests of the association."

Have you suffered a similar problem? If so, phone reporter Matthew Woodcock on 01904 653051 ext 305 or email him at matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:23 Wednesday, March 26, 2003