A Norwich woman has collected more than 200 signatures after she launched a petition against a council that banned her from using a washing line because of health and safety reasons.

Margaret Jowsey, of Sleaford Green, said she would obey Norwich City Council's deadline to take down her laundry line this week, which has been in the stairwell outside her top floor flat for the last 25 years.

However, the 70-year-old said she would continue to campaign against the local authority's decision to remove the 'fire risk or trip hazard.'

Mrs Jowsey received a letter from the council at the end of last month telling her that the washing line needed to be taken down by July 17, or she would be charged for its removal.

The letter said the line posed a risk in the event of a fire. 'Clear communal areas are also necessary to enable repairs and maintenance. As a landlord we try to work with our residents to minimise this risk,' the letter said.

Mrs Jowsey handed a petition to the city council this week, which has been signed by more than 200 people living in the Angel Road, Sleaford Green, Boston Street, Penn Grove, and Philadephia Lane areas of Norwich, which calls on the authority to provide alternative drying facilities.

The pensioner, who has lived in the second-storey council flat, for which she pays rent, since 1989, said she had no response from the council after hand delivering a letter on June 30 protesting against the decision.

'I find it hard to believe in the 25 years I've had a linen line up, no fire issue or trip hazard was mentioned or brought to the attention of residents. I will take it down, but not because I want to - I do not want to be charged,' she said.

Bert Bremner, cabinet member for housing at the city council, said: 'I would like to thank Mrs Jowsey for taking the time to organise this petition. We are currently reviewing our policy for communal areas. We would be very happy to work with residents to find an acceptable solution.'

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