A DISTRAUGHT woman says her family feels inconsolable after her mum's social housing flat in Bradford was cleared without their knowledge following her death and all her belongings were thrown away.

Julie Lloyd said she now only has one photo of her mum Doreen Lloyd left, as staff at Incommunities emptied the flat and got rid of family photos, her mum's wedding ring, and even a lock of hair she had saved following the funeral.

Miss Lloyd had begun sorting through her mum's things following her death at the age of 76 at the end of November, and was told to provide a copy of the death certificate in order to formally end the tenancy.

She also agreed to pay the rent on the flat for the intervening period.

But, due to her mother-in-law being diagnosed with terminal cancer and Miss Lloyd needing to care for her, the process of sorting Doreen's things was temporarily put on hold, she said.

After not visiting the flat for more than a month, Miss Lloyd, 48, said she was left shocked when she arrived at the Hudson Gardens flat in Great Horton, only to spot a notice on one of the doors and find her mum's former home empty and the locks changed.

She immediately contacted Incommunities, hoping it had stored the personal items, but has now learned that all her mum's belongings had gone.

Miss Lloyd, who is staying with her daughter Nicole Keeley in Great Horton, told the Telegraph & Argus: "I rang Incommunities to ask what had happened and where all my mum's things were, and they told me everything had been tipped.

"They told me they had tried to contact me, but I've not had any messages.

"It is a despicable and inhumane act. The family is devastated. All the mementoes of my mum that we were going to keep have gone. They have robbed us of everything.

"If it looked abandoned I could understand it a bit more, but I had been clearing things out and things were boxed and bagged up. There were financial documents, her death certificates and her address book there too. Everything is gone, and no one from the family gave authorisation."

She described her mum, who lost both her legs five years ago due to complications with diabetes, as someone who always lifted your spirits despite her own illnesses.

Karen Lee, director of neighbourhood services at Incommunities, said: “As a caring and responsible housing landlord we are very concerned about the issues that have been raised.

“We will be liaising with the family to fully investigate this matter. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”