BASILDON Council has been slammed for not clearing up nettles that have blighted a stroke victim for more than a year.

Wheelchair-bound Jean Bohea, 79, only leaves her house in Merricks Lane, Vange, if she spends half an hour trying to climb down four steps at the front of her home.

After the Echo ran a story on her plight in July, the council told the paper it would cut the plants down at the back of her home where she has wheelchair access, within a week, but two months later they are bigger than ever.

Mrs Bohea has had four strokes, osteoporosis and severe arthritis, and her daughter, Rita, 48, who is her carer, first alerted the council to the issue a year ago.

She said her mumwas stung all the way up her arm the last time they tried to use the footpath at the back of her home three weeks ago.

Now the pair daren’t use the path, with the nettles growing longer in the recent downpours, and instead make the difficult exit through the front of the house.

Rita, who is also a cleaner, said: “It’s such a big issue because my mum can’t get out her own house but the council just don’t seem to care.

“When I spoke to them they said they would come down within a week or so. I certainly didn’t expect to be here two months later with the nettles still outside.

“She can’t get out because of them. When we contacted the Echo I thought that might have put some pressure on the council but they still haven’t done anything.”

Councillor Kevin Blake, responsible for leisure and arts, said: "This is not acceptable and we apologise for this delay.

“One of our key promises is to get the basics right and we have failed to do that on this occasion which is disappointing.

“I have spoken to officers who will ensure that the Pride Team is sent to Merricks Lane this week to trim back and clear the weed growth and apply weed killer."

Councillor Kevin Blake, cabinet member for leisure and arts, said: “This is not acceptable and we apologise for this delay.”