Residents have hit back after sheltered housing managers forced them to dismantle a Christmas grotto.

Every year Lyn Soylemez and friends put together a festive scene, which includes Santa and a post box for children's letters, to brighten up Thorndike House in Palmerston Road in Chatham - but this year their efforts have been thwarted after the grotto was ruled to be a health and safety risk.

Mrs Soylemez, 70, said it was just the latest step after successive measures by mhs homes to restrict decorations and other amenities.

"We hear so many good things about people, companies and organisations who have gone out of their way to assist elderly and vulnerable people but all our landlords do is try to restrict its residents hoping they will just keep their mouths shut and grin and bear it. This is just a step too far.

"A lot of our residents will be unable to be with family over Christmas because of the Covid problem and the decorations that have been put up to give a lift to their mental and emotional wellbeing are now being threatened."

She said many had been upset by the decision, including her own support officer at mhs homes.

"Yesterday I was phoned by my support officer - bless her she's feeling dreadful and it's not her decision," she added.

"Before I put it up I spoke to the health and safety guy and there was no problem. All the lights are safety tested and the tinsel is fireproof.

"It's been up five weeks and nobody said anything - something's wrong. Everyone knew it was going up. As far as I'm aware it hasn't been looked at by anybody from the fire brigade.

"My friends have spent today dismantling it. People I've spoken to are devastated.

"There's a post box there for grandchildren to put letters to Santa - they all get a reply. This year people have been giving me their children's names and I've been writing letters. It's a tradition at this house.

"They've spoiled Christmas," she added. "It's diabolical. We have people with dementia like Peggy - she wonders down the corridors and every day she goes past and says isn't that beautiful. Well it's not beautiful now."

A statement from mhs homes' Operations Director, Stephanie Goad, said: “We know the run up to Christmas this year is a difficult time for everyone as we are restricted in what we can do by the pandemic.

“The infection rates within Medway remain dangerously high and our top priority is to keep our customers safe.

"In line with government guidance we closed the communal areas in our sheltered schemes earlier in the year. This sadly must remain the case over Christmas.

“It is also important that we reinforce fire safety standards. This includes asking customers to limit decorations to within their own homes and ensuring fire escape routes are kept clear.”

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