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'Mum and dad want to celebrate their diamond wedding in peace': Staffordshire daughter says her parents are living in fear of flooding and may be forced out of their home

An elderly couple who have lived in their 'forever home' in Staffordshire for 28 years fear part of it is going to be 'washed away' by water from a turning point in a canal adjacent to their home

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By Paul Jenkins
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Eileen and Cyril Clews live in an idyllic spot by the Trent and Mersey Canal - their home is even situated in Lockside View but they are suffering from constant flooding.

Cyril, aged 87, and Eilee, aged 81, still work every day to maintain the front garden and greenery around the towpath outside their home but fencing and wooden shuttering is being eroded away.

The shuttering around the Staffordshire property in Rugeley was put in when the land was maintained by British Waterways - it is now under the stewardship of charity the Canal and River Trust who say it is not their responsibility to maintain it.

Lynne Jefferson outside the home of her elderly parents. She is concerned after boats have damaged the fragile wooden edge to the canal by spraying water onto their garden and property..
Lynne Jefferson outside the home of her elderly parents. She is concerned after boats have damaged the fragile wooden edge to the canal by spraying water onto their garden and property..

The couple's daughter Lynne is waging a campaign to get the trust to put in 30 metres of metal shuttering which she says would go a long way to helping the matter.

Lynne Jefferson, is concerned after boats have damaged the fragile wooden edge to the canal in front of her elderly parent's property
Lynne Jefferson, is concerned after boats have damaged the fragile wooden edge to the canal in front of her elderly parent's property