A woman suffering from a debilitating bone condition says she is disgusted at a council for failing to find her a home near her family.

Elizabeth Owen, 30, suffers from brittle bones disease and lives in a modified bungalow in Braunstone, Leicester.

Her problems deteriorated after breaking a leg, which forced her to quit her job. She now needs regular care.

Her dispute with the council arose when she asked for help to move to the Hinckley area to be closer to family and friends who can help look after her.

However, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council say she does not fit the criteria which would make her a priority for a council house.

Elizabeth, who has suffered more than 200 fractures, said: "I'm on the waiting list, but the borough council have told me it would be years before I would get a home there.''

Originally from Hinckley, she beat the odds to gain entry to the University of Leicester for a biological sciences degree.

After graduating, she worked for Leicestershire Care for Integrated Living, which provides disability information and services.

Elizabeth broke her leg while trying to get out of the bath last June. She said: "I've done it plenty of times before, but this time it didn't heal properly.

"I need an operation to put a metal plate in my leg, but the bone is not strong enough.

"Because of that, I've had to give up work as an office manager and have been virtually housebound ever since.

"If I was allowed to move closer to my family in Burbage they would help to look after me and I would recover quicker."

The borough council has placed Elizabeth on its reserve two-year waiting list.

She said: "My family have lived in the borough for generations, but because my mum moved there in 2003 and has not lived there for 10 consecutive years, I can only get on the reserve list. It's disgusting the council is being like this.

"I accept the need for rules within housing, but surely the quicker I get better, the quicker I can get a job and contribute towards society again."

Family friend Lesley Lester said: "We are appalled at the insensitivity of the council. Surely, some leeway must be allowed for this severely disabled young woman."

Leicester West MP Patricia Hewitt has given her backing.

Trevor Prowse, the borough's director of community and planning services, said: "It would be unfair to all others on the housing waiting list to review our decision and I will be replying to Ms Hewitt to explain this.

"We have a finite stock of houses.''