Shock letters were sent out to hundreds of residents in a Copeland town - revealing their homes could be knocked down.

Demolition notices from housing association Home Group dropped through the letterboxes of devastated Cleator Moor residents earlier this week.

The plans listed 246 properties on Aldby Place, Dent Place, Ehen Place, Ehen Road, Keir Hardie Avenue, Lansbury Place, Orchard Place, Robert Owen Avenue, Robert Owen Place, William Morris Avenue, Kinniside Place, Croasdale Place, Sea View Place and Priory Drive which had been earmarked for demolition in the next seven years.

Home Group has now apologised saying its letter was "not clear", adding it has "no plans in place" at the moment.

Elsa Brailey, head of development and delivery for Home Group, said: "We are aware that our communications to residents regarding consultation were not clear and as such caused unnecessary confusion for customers. We wholeheartedly apologise for this.

"I can confirm that we are writing again to all who received the demolition notice to explain that this was purely a formality relating to the suspension of the 'right to buy' process in that area.

"To clarify, we have no plans in place and are at the very early stages of consultation."

Home Group is holding invite-only consultation sessions on January 15, 16, 17 and 18, with more dates set to be added.

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie said: "Neither Cleator Moor Town Council or Copeland Borough Council were aware these letters had been sent.

"Home Group have assured me that they have now sent residents a letter of apology."

Mr Starkie said Home Group had stated there were no planning applications for demolition of properties, nobody will be forced to sell their home and there will be no compulsory purchases.

The housing association had originally said, if houses were demolished, the land would be used for "a mix of social and private housing" and it would "work with customers to secure alternative and suitable accommodation" locally.

Stunned residents demanded to know whether they would be able to stay in Cleator Moor.

Christine Kelly, 51, who lives on Ehen Road, said: "We're absolutely gutted, I've lived here for 28 years, to be told they are demolishing our house is disgraceful. My children have lived here all their lives.

"How are hundreds of families going to be rehoused? Are people going to be able to stay in Cleator Moor?"

Carol Sessford, 29, only moved to Aldby Place in August.

"My new home is just what I wanted. Why sign me up in August if they're doing this? I'll now have to sit in limbo and be stressed. All enthusiasm for my move has gone."

While Allen Burns said: "My mother, who is 83, lives on Keir Hardie Avenue, in a privately owned property. She has lived there all her life, had children born there and had family die there.

"Now she is being told the house will be demolished soon. No discussion, just a letter received straight after Christmas with such upsetting news."

Copeland councillor Joan Hully, who also sits on Cleator Moor Town Council, said: "It's very disappointing, I think they could have let people know before now. There's a lot of older people there who have lived there all their lives, it's soul-destroying."