TWO brothers have won their fight to buy their childhood home, thanks to the Argus.

As reported last month, Ian and Karl Denning, along with their father, Thomas Denning, had saved up enough money to buy their home of 43 years in Cwmbran from Bron Afon.

Thomas Denning completed the forms to buy the house but suffered a heart attack and died on Christmas Day before they could be posted.

The family started saving to buy the home five years ago but delayed sending the forms in case they got lost in the Christmas post.

As a result, the housing association said they were not entitled to buy the property and had to move out.

But two weeks after highlighting their plight in the Argus, Bron Afon has done a u-turn on its original decision, allowing the brothers to not only stay at the house in West Roedin, Coed Eva, but admitting they can buy it.

Ian Denning, 43, said: “I’m surprised and very happy – it’s as good as it could get. I’m totally gobsmacked.”

Mr Denning also thanked the Argus, saying: “It’s still not an easy time but it takes a massive weight off our shoulders, in no small part thanks to the paper. Because of the coverage, it became quite difficult to sweep under the carpet.

For that I can only say thank you.”

Mr Denning, who cares for older brother Karl, 48, who has learning difficulties, met Bron Afon staff on Wednesday when he was told they could keep their home.

A Bron Afon spokesman confirmed Mr Denning has been allowed to succeed to the property.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Very sensible conclusion

IT’S so refreshing to see common sense win in the story of the two brothers who faced losing the home they had lived in all their lives. Last month we told how Ian and Karl Denning were about to be forced out of their home after the death of their father.

Thomas Denning’s name was listed as the tenant for the Bron Afon Community Housing property. All three were just about to buy the property when Mr Denning senior died.

The housing association said the tenancy could not pass on to his children, despite them living there all their lives, and that it would be finding alternative accommodation for them.

We said this was a ridiculous situation and while we understood the need for rules and regulations there was also a place for compassion. It seemed our appeal did not fall on deaf ears and Bron Afon has now changed its mind.

There are far too many faceless bureaucrats in life and it’s completely refreshing to see this sort of decision reversed.

It shows some companies can have a heart after all and that rules can be altered.

Credit where it is due. Well done Bron Afon.