Miss Vawser was forced to pay out £7,500 to rebuild stables at the back of her home in West End after they collapsed last autumn.

Living in the town's conservation area means strict planning rules needed to be adhered to when Miss Vawser undertook the rebuilding work. And she contacted the council to ask about financial help.

"I didn't have the money to rebuild the stables, so I asked the council if there was any chance I could get a grant," explained Miss Vawser, who has blamed the collapse of the stables on nearby building work.

The stables collapsed in high winds last September sending the roof crashing down on her three pet Shetland ponies.

Fire crews had to attend to help rescue the ponies, which fortunately escaped without serious injury. One had a small cut under her eye and another a small cut on her back.

Miss Vawser explained the stables had become unstable after building work began on new houses on land at the back of her property. She said the work even led to part of her garden subsiding.

"The houses are very high and I noticed they created a kind of wind tunnel effect," said Miss Vawser, who was advised by the council to submit receipts for the work at the end of March.

"I sent in the application with all my receipts and I have just heard that they are not going to give me a grant. I have been told they only have £10,000 or £12,000 in their conservation grants budget for the whole district.

"That seems a very small amount when you think about how many properties there are in conservation areas across Fenland," said Miss Vawser.

A council spokesman confirmed the annual budget is currently £12,500 and this is divided between three or four projects a year and these are determined on merit.