Pensioners living in sheltered housing in Oxford fear for the future after their landlords told them their homes could be closed.

Jessie Hunt, 83, who lives in a one-bedroom flat in Scrutton Close, Headington, says she has received a letter from Oxford Citizens Housing Association warning her of its plans.

The letter from operations director Andrew Smith was sent to residents last week and explains that although there are no immediate plans to move residents, the long-term proposal was to close the homes.

Jessie Hunt and fellow residents It is the third time in recent months that pensioners living in sheltered accommodation have been given cause for concern about where they are going to live.

Mrs Hunt said: "There are 15 flats in this sheltered block which have been here since 1964 and a lot of residents are worried about what is going to happen to them.

"I have just had an operation for a collapsed lung and this is the last thing I need.

"What the association seems to be saying is that if a flat is vacated, it will not be re-let, but we want more detail about the plans. We don't really know what's going on."

Mrs Hunt said she had lived in the flat for eight years and had spent more than £2,000 having a shower fitted.

"At my time of life I don't want to move into a new home, which might be in Barton or Blackbird Leys," she added.

"I believe the association wants to bulldoze these flats so that new homes can be built and sold or rented out to young professionals."

Last week it emerged that the housing association plans to demolish 36 flats in Lucas and Remy Place, off Meadow Lane, Iffley, and replace them with 28 larger properties. Tenants have been offered £3,400 compensation and the option of being rehoused, but many are reluctant to leave.

Pensioners living at South Oxfordshire Housing Association-owned Badgers Close, in Forest Hill, and Windows Court, Wheatley, are fighting similar eviction plans.

In a letter sent last month to Mrs Hunt and other pensioners living in Scrutton Close, Mr Smith alerted them to the proposals.

He told the Oxford Mail: "We're not saying to residents they have to move at this point, but we're letting them know our long-term plans.

"The homes in Scrutton Close have poor parking, access problems and security issues, which makes them difficult to let. The flats are also small and difficult to adapt.

"We're not going to let any more, but residents can stay as long as we, and they, feel it's appropriate."