A war widow facing eviction by a loan company, because of spiralling debts, has won at least an extra five weeks in her Keighley home.

Doris Armstrong's legal team submitted papers to a judge at Bradford County Count yesterday, seeking a legal hearing to get the order overturned.

Grandmother Mrs Armstrong, 78, of Braithwaite Walk, has amassed a £39,000 debt on a £2,784 loan taken out in 1991. Interest charges were 45 per cent a year.

Manchester-based finance company Reunion Finance wants the money or her former council home, which is valued at about £39,000.

Her case has been taken up by Keighley MP Ann Cryer and a fighting fund set up to help meet the legal costs. It has reached £3,000. A spokesman for Mrs Cryer said a lawyer yesterday presented legal documents to a judge, seeking a full hearing into the case. It is not expected to take place for at least five weeks.

"We will be going in and saying that the debt is extortionate and we will be looking for a complete dismissal. We hope the full merits of the case will be discussed," he said

He said there was still a chance the loan company would agree to drop the case.

Mrs Armstrong, who is blind in her left eye, took out the loan with her late son David to pay for home improvements.

The T&A tried to contact Reunion Finance for a comment but found that its telephone number was no longer in operation.

Trustees of the fighting fund are appealing for further support. Donations can be sent to Ann Cryer's office at 35, Devonshire Street, Keighley, or to the Yorkshire Bank, Keighley, sort code 050535, account number 17335510.