An elderly couple's peaceful retirement has turned into a nightmare after their home was hit by what is thought to be Selby area's worst case of mining subsidence.

John Lockwood outside his house in Whitley Bridge, which has been shored up following subsidence damage

John and Winifred Lockwood have had to move into a caravan in their back garden after the house they have lived in for 47 years started to crumble around them.

RJB Mining engineers told the stunned couple their treasured home was too dangerous to live in, and immediately arranged for the gable end to be shored up with massive wooden supports.

The former council house in Whitefield Lane, Whitley Bridge, is at the end of a row of terraced properties, and has taken the brunt of mining subsidence from nearby Kellingley Colliery.

RJB geologists say the damage is due to a freak of nature, which caused lateral rather than vertical displacement of underground strata.

But Mr Lockwood, 71, a former driver for a Selby area building firm, said the ordeal had shattered the peace and quiet of their well-earned retirement.

He said: "It's very upsetting when you get to this stage of your life.

"We have both worked hard all our lives to buy this house from Selby Council, and now we're living in a caravan because they can't do anything until the subsidence settles."

Since buying the three-bedroom house 17 years ago, the couple have had double glazing installed, along with new doors and electric central heating.

They started to get that sinking feeling when cracks up to six inches wide started to appear in the plaster. Then they noticed the brickwork splitting, ceilings coming away from the walls, and doors that would not shut.

Mrs Lockwood, who used to work on the land, said: "It's been a terrible experience. It's messed our lives up.

"It isn't right this should happen - they shouldn't be allowed to do it.

"My main worry now is when they are going to do the repair work. We don't want to be in a caravan next winter, and we would like to go back to live in our house if we can".

RJB spokesman Stuart Oliver said the company had admitted liability, and had appointed independent structural engineers to act for the company and the Lockwoods.

They would be making recommendations as to the best way forward once the movement had ceased.

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