ELDERLY cancer sufferer Connie Pope has been forced to return to the freezing cold home she nearly burned down trying to heat.

The 73-year-old pensioner says she is a victim of a heating crisis which firefighters warn is causing vulnerable old people to risk their lives.

Unable to afford £5,000 to replace her condemned central heating system, she was relying on a log stove and electric heaters to try and stay warm during the recent cold snap.

But she had to leave her Cinderford bungalow after two separate fires caused by a burning candle and a heater.

Firefighters say Connie is not alone and the brigade has issued a warning about old people putting themselves in danger as fuel costs soar.

Connie says she has been waiting for months to have a new central heating system through the Government- funded Warm Front scheme, which is designed to be a safety net for those in fuel poverty.

"It's freezing and I have to wear lots of layers and a fleecy coat all the time.

"But British Gas wanted £5,000 and I can't afford that.

"I tried to get a heating bulb for the bathroom, but they have stopped selling them.

"I've been waiting for Warm Front but they say I just have to wait my turn and if I keep phoning, they will put me at the bottom of the queue."

See this week's Forester for full story