A couple whose home started to fall down after a defunct mine shaft collapsed have finally moved in to a new house.

One year on and Graham and Brenda Robertson are only now able to unpack the belongings they saved and start afresh.

The couple were evacuated from their former home in Henley Grove, West Bowling, Bradford, after a workman, who was called in to fix a drain, discovered the collapsed mine shaft.

Mr and Mrs Robertson and their neighbours, the Khan family, were given just minutes to go back into their homes and grab their most precious belongings after Bradford Council condemned the properties last February.

Saima Khan’s younger sister Saira’s wedding celebration also had to be put on hold when they were unable to get to Saira’s wedding dress, the men’s suits and gifts for the couple.

The Coal Authority has been investigating the drama since, and in the meantime the Robertsons had to move in with their daughter in Gomersal.

She said: “Mum and dad have just moved into their new house this week. They got £100,000 from their insurance, but because that wasn’t enough to pay for the new place, they’ve had to use up some savings to help.

“The Coal Authority is helping them to get permission to get the old house demolished and hopefully they’ll eventually get some money back from that land if they can sell it.”

Cracks have appeared on the side wall and under guttering of one of the houses and planning permission has been put in to demolish both homes.

The Coal Authority has had both families’ permission to apply to Bradford Council to demolish both homes.

Coal Authority spokesman John Delaney said: “If permission is granted we will demolish the properties, make the shaft stable, clear the land and hand it back to the families. The land is still theirs, but it will be up to the Council whether they ever allow it to be built on again.”

Bradford Council senior engineer Prab Mistry said a decision on the issue of demolition should be reached by March.

He said: “After demolition, the shaft will be filled and grouted under the supervision of the Coal Authority. If rebuilding is to take place on the site, planning and building regulations applications will be required.”