Pensioners have staged a mutiny at their retirement complex - using new laws to oust the management.

The residents of Millington Court, who are mostly in their 80s and 90s and own their flats, were furious about their landlord's plans to get rid of their warden and sell off his accommodation.

They have become the first group in Britain to exercise a new right to choose who manages their flats.

Dudley Joiner, whose 89-year-old mother-in-law lives in one of the 41 flats in Mill Lane, Uckfield, said: "What they tried to do was disgraceful.

"They were supposed to be looking after these elderly people but instead they put their profits first.

"The residents all bought their flats knowing a warden would be available at all times. The security of having someone there is vital to them. "

Anchor Guardian bought the freehold of the flats complex from the Southern Housing Group in 2004 along with 31 other properties in Sussex and Kent.

When Millington Court's long-serving warden Brian Ramsay MBE retired early in 2005 he was not replaced and a day manager was appointed.

Anchor Guardian wanted to make the arrangement permanent but were stopped by a planning condition from when the home was first built that a warden must be available on site 24 hours a day.

In January the company applied for planning permission to change the condition but withdrew it after meeting opposition from a newly formed residents' association chaired by Mr Joiner and backed by members of Uckfield Town Council.

The residents' association was unhappy at what was happening and began to investigate its rights.

Members discovered that, as long-term leaseholders, they could make an application under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 to remove the management and install a replacement of their choice.

Mr Joiner said: "This should be a lesson to landlords of retirement estates that elderly residents do not have to tolerate autocratic management and can take positive action if standards drop and if they are not properly consulted about the day-to-day services they pay for."

The residents have appointed the Retirement Lease Housing Association to take over the management. Anchor Guardian retains ownership of the building's freehold, including the warden's flat. It is in negotiations with the RLHA and the residents over the rent for the flat and the future ownership of the building.

Mr Joiner said residents from other homes had already been in touch to ask for advice.

A spokesman for Anchor Guardian said: "As England's largest not-for-profit provider of housing management services to older people, we were hopeful that we could work through the issues at Millington Court and continue to provide a service to residents there.

"It is unfortunate that we were unable to reach such an agreement and we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth handover of the running of the estate."