A DISTRAUGHT pair of pensioners fear they could lose their Rainford home after being assured they could stay there for life.

Bob Leatherbarrow, aged 72, and his wife, Marie, 70, sold a large share of their house in what they were told was an equity release scheme.

They were reassured they could continue to rent the property in News Lane, until they died.

However, it has since been alleged that a businessman who bought their home failed to keep up with the re-mortgage payments.

It is believed he obtained a buy-to-let mortgage on the property.

But the businessman is now reported to be in New Zealand.

Neighbours at his former address in Warrington, claim he left earlier this year with his wife.

Now the mortgage company is seeking re-possession of Bob and Marie’s home.

Marie, said: “We were told we were here for good, to treat this home as our own. We just wanted peace and security.”

The couple have kept up their £300 monthly rent depositing it with their solicitor.

They have also offered to pay the monthly £572 mortgage repayment, backdated to May, 2008, when the problem arose.

Marie added: “Bob couldn’t work for 25 years because he was a full-time carer for his first wife, Doreen, who had cancer – the only money he had was in the house.

“He’s never had a holiday or a decent car.

“This man who bought our house seemed very nice and told us we’d be here for good, to treat it as our own.

“We spent £20,000, putting in a new kitchen, bathroom, fencing and gates.

“We were hoping to visit Bob’s daughter in Australia and my daughter in Canada.”

After 18 months of legal wrangling, the future of their home now rests on the outcome of an appeal in a test case.

Marie, added: “If this appeal goes through, there will be thousands of people like us out on the streets. Bob has had two strokes. I’ve got arthritis and rheumatism.”

Rainford Clr Alan Jones has vowed to help them save their home.

He said: “We will do all that is within our power to keep them in their current house.

“If that fails, I will be seeing Helena Housing. They have offered them sheltered accommodation but this is not good enough.”