Health and safety police make pensioners take down their Christmas decorations

People from Rockingham Close in Birdwell, Barnsley, had decorated a communal area in time for their party but say they were told by housing association Guinness Northern Counties, which manages the accommodation, to take the decorations down before it could take place because they might pose a fire hazard.

One elderly resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "They said we would have to get the trimmings down because they were a fire hazard, so when we had our party in an undecorated room without our trimmings, it was cheerless. It has really taken the shine off Christmas for us. I have lived here for more than a decade and the centre has always been decorated in that time.

"They said the decorations had to be removed because of health and safety, but didn't explain why. I think some people think that because we're old we must be daft."

A spokesman for Guinness Northern Counties said it "understood residents' disappointment" and added: "The leasehold officer who requested this was following new guidance regarding the use of non fire-retardant materials in communal areas.

"Her advice was that the decorations could remain in place until after the Christmas party but for some reason this was not followed. We place very high importance on both the safety of our residents and their ability to enjoy festive get-togethers such as this and will next year work with them to ensure that decorations meet safety regulations before they are put up."