A STANMORE family woke up to find workmen removing a set of seven steps which link their home to the roadway five feet above.

Winchester City Council workers had been asked to demolish the steps -- which are shared with a council house next door -- because they were deemed to be dangerous due to wear and tear.

But now the furious Standing family, from Walpole Road, say they are being charged half the cost -- £300 -- to rebuild them.

Workmen arrived at 7.30am on Monday to knock down the steps, which are the only proper means of access to their terraced home.

The family have since had to go through their neighbour's steep garden or jump down from a high wall to get to their front door.

Stephanie Standing, 21, said she was late for a doctor's appointment because of the difficulty of getting her one-month-old daughter and pram out of the house.

Stephanie's mother, Jacqui Standing, 41, disputed that the steps were dangerous.

The mum-of-three said: "Why should I have to pay when they've made no effort to discuss it with me?

"I just don't see how they can do this without our permission."

Mrs Standing said the city council informed her that a letter had been drafted and sent to the legal department, but it never reached her.

The care co-ordinator has since received a verbal apology about the mix-up.

The council said Mrs Standing can pay the cost of the steps in instalments, but she has pledged to fight the bill.

She said: "If I have to go to court, I'll go to court. I'll take it all the way."

A council spokesman said a letter was sent last November informing Mrs Standing that the steps would be replaced soon.

Mrs Standing said she did not receive the letter.

The council's spokesman said: "We are aware that there was a slight breakdown in communication."

At the time of going to press, the Standings were still waiting for the concrete on the new steps to dry so they could safely go in and out of their house again.