The first one to go

A British pensioner collapsed as demolition men began tearing down his Spanish retirement home after a planning row.

Len Prior, 63, who has a heart condition, and his wife Helen were given just two hours to move out all their possessions. As Mr Prior was rushed to hospital, his wife watched in horror as their house and garden were wrecked by a mechanical digger. Mrs Prior, a retired computer programmer, said: "It was quite horrendous. We have invested so much time, effort and money in it."

The Priors used their life savings to buy two and half acres of land in a quiet coastal village six years ago and build the £350,000 three-bedroom house. They took early retirement and sold their home in the Berkshire village of Hurst because of Mr Prior's heart problem and his wife's rheumatism. But they were unwittingly caught in a major Spanish national scandal involving planning permission during a property boom. Unscrupulous builders and lawyers paid backhanders to corrupt local officials to subvert the rules as vast swathes of coastline were concreted over.

The Priors were told they had planning permission from the local council in Vera, Almeria, but the regional government of Andalucia insists the house was built illegally on green belt land. It is the first reported case of a British-owned home being demolished but there are fears it is the start of a massive crackdown.

The demolition team, escorted by a dozen police officers, arrived at the Priors' home on Wednesday. "It was totally out of the blue," said 63-year-old Mrs Prior. "We live there permanently so the house was full of our possessions. Luckily the neighbours helped us move everything out. "Watching the house being torn down was quite appalling. The garden was my pride and joy and took us years to complete. "I am very, very angry but composed. I think when the anger wears off I will collapse, too."

The couple, who have three grown-up children and seven grandchildren, have been given emergency accommodation by the local mayor, but will have to find another home next week. Mr Prior, who was released from hospital after a check-up, said: "We're devastated. "This has been our home for almost six years. To have it pulled down in front of you is painful beyond belief. "We sold a beautiful house to move here so we could enjoy the weather and the Spanish lifestyle. "Now it has turned into a nightmare. We have absolutely no idea what we're going to do."

The couple say they were never even told of a court hearing at which the fate of their home was decided. Despite threats from the regional government, their solicitor assured them the property would be safe.

Local mayor Felix Lopez said: "Permission for the house was granted in 2002 as it complies with all the local requirements." But the Andalucian government insisted: "This is a clear case of a local authority wrongly granting planning permission. "The judge agreed with us that the house should be demolished."

Of course it isn't just British people who will find themselves in the same appalling situation. Most of the homes that face threat of demolition are owned by Spaniards.