SOCIAL services have come under fire after a body was found in the Aberaeron home of a ‘reclusive’ mother and daughter.

The body, which has yet to be identified, was discovered at Dolheulog Cottages, off Panteg Lane, after Dyfed­-Powys Police received a report expressing concerns about the welfare of two women.

On entering the “cluttered” property, which was said to be full of hoarded possessions, police found 56-year-old Valerie Jones in a “collapsed” state. She was subsequently taken to Bronglais Hospital suffering from severe dehydration.

The whereabouts of her elderly mother, Gaynor Jones, 87, were not established.

One neighbour, who did not want to give her name, told the Cambrian News she was unaware Gaynor Jones had been living at the property.

“If I had known, I would have called social services a long time ago,” she said. “I thought poor Valerie lived alone, an eccentric and painfully-shy lady who obviously had a hoarding problem, but certainly harmless.

“So I left her to live her life peacefully and didn’t interfere because it was clear she valued her privacy.

“I am so angry because they have been so badly let down by the community and particularly the authorities.

“How has this happened? How have social services missed these incredibly vulnerable people? Especially as the town knew they were there?

“I have been told that they had no running water since before Valerie’s father died because he switched it off due to a leak, so surely social services should have been involved?”

A Ceredigion County Council spokesman said: “As this case is subject to an ongoing police investigation we are not in a position to make any comment.”

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