THE 83-year-old who is battling to stay in his home of 74 years has thanked everyone who has shown their support.

Thousands of people have joined a group set up on social networking site Facebook, to add to the reams of comments and letters received by the Times-Series regarding plans by Barnet Homes to remove Edward Meakins from his house, in Cricklewood.

The bachelor has lived in the home, in Cloister Road, since he was nine, but has been told by the housing management organisation he must find new accommodation following the death of his sister Margaret in May.

Mr Meakins has said the move to a flat, which would deprive him of his much loved and well tendered to garden, would kill him, and he has pleaded with housing bosses to allow him to stay.

He is still waiting to hear an update from Barnet Homes, but has expressed his gratitude at the level of support he has received from across the country.

He said: “I am glad people are trying to help me, but I still don't know if the council will give way.

“I am hoping they will. I just don't think it is fair what they are doing to me. All my friends are supportive of me. They think the same thing as me, it is not I can be thrown out after all these years.

“I don't know if this support might help, but I hope it does.”

More than 3,300 people have signed up to the Facebook group named Save 83yr old Edward Meakins from being forced out of his home of 74 years.

Mr Meakins claims there is a three bedroom property further down his road where his friend was evicted from when he came to live alone, but it has now remained empty for a number of years.

Mr Meakins said: “You do get anxious waiting to know if it going to happen or not.

“I can't do anything. I know Barnet Homes say they want homes for families, but I am not the only person living on his own. I know quite a lot of people living alone in two bedroom houses, and they are not being threatened with being turned out.”

The latest statement from Barnet Homes said: “There is no intention to evict Mr Meakins and no possibility of him being left without a secure home.

“We will be offering him all the support and time we can to help him find suitable alternative accommodation in a property and an area of the borough he wants to live in.”