THE sons of May Appleton face eviction again – months after their mum died following a stint at a Travel Lodge.

May Appleton, 87, died in Leighton Hospital on June 22 of this year, three months after being evicted from her Lostock home.

The eviction followed a three-year battle with landlord Weaver Vale Housing Trust (WVHT) over their possessions, which the trust classed as hoarding and said was a fire hazard.

May’s sons, Brian, Mark and Paul, have since moved back into the property but are due back in court on December 22 – throwing their future at the property in doubt yet again.

Sue Pownall, a friend of the Appletons, petitioned while May was alive to allow her to purchase the property.

“People were appalled by what had happened to this beautiful elderly lady,” Sue told the Guardian.

May and her sons were evicted from their home, where they had lived for 61 years, on the morning of March 24.

Bailiffs used sledgehammers and crowbars on the doors before drilling out the locks.

Following the eviction the family moved into the Travelodge at Lostock Gralam. Three months later May fell ill.

Sue said: “She was taken to hospital after becoming ill in the Travelodge and intimating to Brian that she had simply had enough and couldn’t fight any more.

“She died in hospital leaving her sons bewildered and devastated.”

Brian, Mark and Paul intend to purchase the property from WVHT, but have failed in their efforts so far.

Sue has now launched a fresh petition calling on the Trust to allow them to do so.

“All the sons are struggling with bereavement and uncertainty,” Sue said. “They have lived in that house since they were born and are now threatened with homelessness.”

Brian Appleton told the Guardian that the family support the latest petition.

A spokesman for Weaver Vale said: “We are unable to comment on this case due to the ongoing legal proceedings.”

To sign the petition, visit you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/weaver-vale-housing-trust-let-may-appleton-s-sons-buy