Pensioner's blues over paint row

Mr Lake said more bright colours were needed to cheer people up in a recession

A pensioner who painted his council bungalow "fluorescent" blue has been ordered to repaint it a "drab" grey to match neighbouring homes.

Eric Lake, 64, gave his home in Ruabon, Wrexham, a makeover because he said it was flaking and blackened and had not been renovated for years.

Wrexham council has ordered him to repaint it, because the "colour was not in keeping".

Mr Lake is unhappy with grey because "life is depressing enough".

Mr Lake said he and his disabled wife Emily, 62, needed some brightness in their lives, so he chose Mediterranean blue for the rear of the house.

His wife suffers from arthritis, agoraphobia and other conditions, and he draws a disability pension following an accident.

Mr lake said he now has to paint the house back to "dull" grey

He said: "We are digging a pond and plan to create a tropical garden for my wife.

"She can't get out much, and we certainly can't go on holiday anywhere, so we wanted to create a little paradise for her here.

"The blue was supposed to bring a little colour into our lives. We're in a recession for goodness sake - we all need cheering up a bit."

However, someone reported him to Wrexham council.

Chief housing officer Andy Lewis said: "As part of our agreement with council house tenants, no alterations may be undertaken on a property prior to seeking permission.

"In this particular instance, Mr Lake did not seek our permission and had he done so his application would have been declined as it was felt the fluorescent blue colour was not in keeping with neighbouring properties.

Mr Lake said he wanted a garden "paradise" for his disabled wife

"We have now asked Mr Lake to re-paint the wall in its original light grey colour."

Mr Lake said: "I'm quite happy to repaint it, but why does it have to be grey?

"Life is depressing enough. My understanding is that the original colour was cream.

"We have only lived here six months and we thought the place needed a bit of colour.

"When we repainted the last council house we lived in, at Plas Madoc, we were actually complimented by local councillors for doing a good job.

"Most of the houses around here are quite dilapidated in terms of the paintwork. All we have done is brightened the place up and made it look tidier."

Mrs Lake said: "We all need a bit of colour in our lives.

"It was only the back of the house, and that can only be seen by a few people from their bedrooms."