An 82-year-old woman has been without care for three months after her son was accused of keeping a gun at the family home.

But when police searched Ivy James's Thornton Heath home in November no gun was found.

Mrs James's son, Trevor, believes a flint gun, used for lighting the family's gas cooker, was mistaken for a weapon by a care worker during a home visit.

Croydon Council has so far refused to re-instate home carers until it has carried out a full risk assessment. The council said it offered Mrs James alternative care at a nursing home while it carried out the checks but it was refused.

Mr James said: "My mother has been without care for three months. She has diabetes, high blood pressure and a bowel condition. She needs to be monitored.

"The police searched the house and found no gun. That was three months ago."

Mr James said his mother wanted to stay and be cared for in her own house rather than be uprooted to a nursing home.

A council spokesman said: "Croydon social services has a duty of care to its clients as well as a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its staff.

"An alternative package of care has been offered to Mrs James, which fully meet her needs, while health and safety risk assessments are carried out.

"Although this has been refused by the family we have been in regular contact with her son and are confident Mrs James's care needs are being met. We also continually remind the family the nursing home place is available for Mrs James which would provide a short term respite for them all."