A 56-year-old woman who is due to be evicted on 1 May has been told she should be able to “function reasonably well” if she ends up on the streets.

Thurrock Council wrote to Heidi Dodson rejecting her application for priority housing following an eviction notice from her landlord.

The council acknowledges Ms Dodson is eligible for help but maintained she would be able to cope if she becomes homeless and is not a “priority need”.