A GRIEVING widower made a scathing attack on social services at his wife's funeral.

War veteran Dennis Cramp accused the Lancashire County Council department of keeping his wife Maria imprisoned against her will, causing her mental deterioration.

And he said they should be ashamed of themselves.

His bitter remarks follow a long-running battle over the welfare of Maria, who died last week at the age of 89.

Speaking through a friend and comrade, former Second World War paratrooper Dennis, of Maudsley Street, Accrington, said: "She was my wife for 56 years and except for the last 18 months they were happy years.

"That all changed when social services came to our home. The social worker, with a police escort, called an ambulance, removed her from her own home and took her back to a nursing home where they imprisoned her for eight months.

"Now she can rest in peace at last, free of LCC's Directorate of Care for the Elderly. God bless you, my Maria."

The saga began in April last year after Maria had suffered a fall and subsequent stroke.

She was also suffering from dementia and social services, believing she could no longer look after herself, took out a Guardianship Order and sent her to The Hollies Care Home in Clayton-le-Moors.

When Dennis "kidnapped'' her and took her back home she was returned with a police escort.

Dennis then began an eight-month legal battle which attracted national media attention.

It ended with a compromise agreement under which Maria was allowed home visits several times a week.

She also moved into another care home, The Belvedere in Accrington, which Dennis described as "a little palace".

He said: "By this time she was seriously disturbed but we had an enjoyable few weeks there and I took her home every day. Unfortunately it did not instigate her recovery."

On Tuesday, around 80 people, including a dignified Dennis, Maria's family from her native Austria, carers, friends and Dennis' wartime colleagues from the Parachute Regiment attended a funeral mass at St Anne's RC Church in Accrington.

Hymns chosen included Shine Jesus Shine, The Lord's My Shepherd, All That I Am, Amazing Grace and Abide with Me.

Father Yaqub Shazhad said: "She was a gift from God.

"She was a lively, friendly and easy-going lady who formed friendships easily with each and every one. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her."

Maria's ashes will be buried in Austria.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We were very saddened to hear that Mrs Cramp has died and would like to offer our sincere condolences to her family.

"Mrs Cramp's health and well-being has always been our concern and priority.

"Throughout our involvement with Mrs Cramp we have, along with health services and our care home partners, always acted in her best interests, and are confident she received the quality and standard of professional nursing care she needed."