PENSIONERS living in sheltered accommodation in Sheppey have accused Swale Housing Association of compounding the loneliness of elderly tenants.

They are outraged by a decision to convert the guest room, used by relatives visiting Worcester Close, Minster, into an office.

Ron Sheppard, 83, said: "This is so unjust and totally unfair. We are the only sheltered housing scheme on the Island and in the whole of the South East that doesn't have a guest room."

Neighbour Henry Kettell, 79, added: "I think it's disgusting. They are taking away everyone's spare bedroom. I have known them do some funny things in the past, but back then we were able to stand up and shout. Now we are too old and frail. They are turning this place into a dead hole."

Swale Housing Association, which took over management of the sheltered accommodation from Swale Borough Council, says the guestroom is not used frequently and converting it into an office will provide greater privacy and comfort for tenant and visitor meetings.

But residents say there is no need for an office. Alternative proposals to allow relatives to use an ensuite guest room at Invicta Lodge in Kent Road or borrow a Z-bed are unacceptable, they say.

Elderly relatives are too frail to walk to Kent Road and climb the stairs, or to sleep on a make-shift bed squeezed into a small flat.

Mr Sheppard, who has lived at Worcester Close with his wife Bet for almost 20 years, said: "When it was run by the council they were answerable to the public. Swale Housing Association are a law unto themselves."

SHA says it carried out extensive consultation and received no objections. Residents say most tenants are too old to write protest letters, but 17 people attended a meeting to fight the changes.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt (Lab) and Sheppey county councillor Matt Wheatcroft (Lab) have also been fighting their cause.

Cllr Wheatcroft said: "These frail and elderly people have been harassed over this decision. When representations were made on their behalf, no kind of consultation was forthcoming."