Council officers yesterday admitted they made a mistake in asking a disabled woman to remove asbestos from her own home.

Arthritis sufferer Georgina Bennett, aged 57, of Honey-bourne Road in Sheldon, was admitted to hospital last month with a severe chest infection and digestive problems, following the discovery of asbestos in her kitchen.

The council house tenant was told last month by Birmingham City Council that the deadly substance would be removed from the house before her return from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

But after being discharged, Ms Bennett came home this week to find the council letter, telling her to get rid of the deadly substance herself.

It told her to "rip and seal large pieces, to remove cement and asbestos materials with as little breakage as possible, to damp down with water any debris and seal it together with any similar pieces of asbestos in heavy duty plastic bags", while wearing a face mask for protection.

The letter went on to say that only when the area had been cleared could Ms Bennett ring the council, who would then send someone to take it away.

Ms Bennett, who is unable to work because of her disability and moved to the property in November, said: "I think it is sheer neglect. I am worried about my health because I know it has affected my chest. I have had a terrible infection, which has made me very ill and I still feel out of breath.

"If anyone sees the state of the house, they would think how can you live there? A man died in the street and they sorted out his repairs but I'm still alive and living in this house and they have not done anything."

A council spokeswoman said the letter should not have been sent to Ms Bennett. The asbestos was due to be removed on January 12, but this date has now been changed, due to Ms Bennett's ill health.

"Arrangements are in hand for works to be carried out and operatives will visit tomorrow to explain how and when the asbestos will be removed."