AN Evesham man who says his life was wrecked following his wife's death last year has had his misery compounded because of a row over his home.

Chris Penny and his daughters Fran and Hannah - who is severely disabled - were forced to carry on alone after mum Julie died of myeloid leukaemia in April.

In August, cracks started to appear around doorframes and the stairs in their home, just six months after an extension, built for cerebral palsy sufferer Hannah, was completed.

The extension was built with grants from Worcestershire County Council with a sizeable contribution from the Pennys.

Now Mr Penny, who is struggling to look after Hannah on his own, says he is at his wits' end.

"The extension is moving and the structural engineers and the district council have been monitoring the cracks for some time, but I've heard nothing for months," he said.

"I'm stressed enough with the death of my wife and the struggle to keep my family together without this extra worry.

"Why is it that those responsible for building the extension with taxpayers' money aren't willing to put right the subsidence without a battle?"

Ex-teacher Mr Penny was forced to retire when his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and is now attempting to re-train as a fitness instructor.

He is worried about his financial situation now that his only asset, the family home, is showing structural faults.

The charity Care and Repair, based at Wychavon District Council, was responsible for overseeing the project.

Manager Mark Crivelli said he sympathised with Mr Penny.

"Unfortunately, we have no redress because it is Mr Penny who holds the contract with the structural engineers and he would be the only one able to take legal action."

Simon Crook, managing director of Bromsgrove-based Shire Associates, the structural engineers, said: "After we received a letter from Mr Penny's solicitors we needed to contact our insurers, then the holiday period intervened.

"We should now be able to get the matter resolved shortly."