A WOMAN has backed out of buying a home for her elderly mum, after the county council told her she would be liable for the £92,000 repair bill for a collapsed retaining wall.

Caroline Overton had found a home for her 83-year-old mum close to hers in Malvern and had an offer accepted last May.

However, a couple of weeks later a pavement-retaining wall collapsed outside the home in West Malvern Road.

Mrs Overton said the current owners were told by their solicitors and insurance providers that as the pavement-retaining wall belonged to the council, it should pay for the repairs.

She said: “The legal department from the council disagreed and this was the start of the dispute.”

Mrs Overton said the council repaired the wall in January, saying it was because the missing pavement was "a public safety issue."

However, council lawyers insisted the homeowners must pay the bill.

We previously reported on the dispute - with Mrs Overton claiming she still wanted to buy the house but her attempts to secure a letter from the council’s legal team assuring that, if they did so, they would not have to foot the repair bill, had fallen on deaf ears.

The council's legal department has now confirmed that they will pursue any homeowners for the full costs.

Mrs Overton said: “Our solicitor advised us not to continue.

"Sadly, if we had been given this information by the council 12 months ago it could have saved everyone a lot of hassle, but they would not answer this simple question until it all went public.”

She has since found another home suitable for her mum - who currently lives in Bristol - and is hoping to move her quickly.

A council spokeswoman said: “We continue to be in correspondence with the current homeowner to find the best solution for all parties involved.”

“As this is an ongoing legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”