A DISABLED woman unable to share a bedroom with her husband has won an appeal against the Government's so-called bedroom tax.

In what is thought to be the first successful case of its kind in England, a tribunal found that the local authority had not taken into consideration her disabilities and her reasonable requirements.

The tenant, who has chosen to remain anonymous, suffers from various health conditions and this year had a stroke, leaving her in a wheelchair and requiring a stairlift.

Along with her husband, she had argued that due to her condition they required one bedroom each, but this was rejected by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council who said they were under-occupying their three bedroom house.

But this decision has been overturned and could pave the way for many other similar challenges.

"We took on the Government on the spare room subsidy and won," the woman's husband said.

More to follow