Pensioner 'heartbroken' as she watches £1m home in UK seaside town torn down

A pensioner has been left "heartbroken" after her £1million seaside home was demolished. Widow, Jean Flick, says she has lived in the property for 25 years, and had hoped to stay in the property for as long as it was safe to do so.

However, coastal erosion had seen the home just five meters away from the cliff's edge, which led to it being torn down. Ms Flick, 88, said last month that she wanted to stay in the home, reported to be worth £1m in the Daily Mail, but this week has been faced with the commencement of a seven- to ten-day demolition process.

Her local council said it had come after "significant erosion".

Speaking earlier this year, Ms Flick said her "heart would just break" if the house was torn down as "it's my home".

Ms Flick, who once said she could be forced to live in a tent should the home located in Thorpeness, Suffolk, be torn down, is now living with relatives.

In a statement, a spokesperson for East Suffolk Council said: "There has recently been significant erosion at the northern end of Thorpeness, therefore we have been monitoring the area regularly and working closely with residents so that they are aware of and understand their erosion risk.

"Sadly, a property is being demolished due to critical safety levels being reached.

"Preparatory work took place on the site last week, and demolition is scheduled to begin this week. It is expected to take between seven and 10 days.

"The demolition agreement has been privately arranged between the property owner and the demolition company.

"East Suffolk Council, as per our usual procedure, is forward funding the costs of demolition and will aim to reclaim some of the costs via an Environment Agency grant.‌

"We understand that the property owner is currently staying with family."