A MOTHER has reached breaking-point because the mould in her son's bedroom has become so bad that he has to sleep in another room.

Catherine Gildea and husband Kevin, who live in Ascot Avenue on the Racecourse Estate, Sale, are appalled that the council will not move them from a flat full of damp and mould.

Her eight year-old Lee has spent the past few nights in his mum and dad's room because the damp has reached his bed and turned his mattress partly green with mould.

Catherine said: "It's disgusting - there's mould on all his walls and on the wardrobe we bought for him. It's even lifting the tiles off his wall - it could make him ill"

"I've put in several complaints, but nothing ever seems to get done. We need to be rehoused - we can't go on like this, it's ruining our lives."

In a statement Larry Patrick, Assistant Director of housing for Manchester City Council told SAM his staff had tried to get in to install devices that would reduce condensation, but been refused. He said: "Mrs Gildea has admitted that she has not allowed access as she is determinded to be rehoused instead. A surveyor is due to visit Mrs Gildea to discuss the work and requirements for access so it can be carried out".

He says the council have offered the family other houses. He said: "Mrs Gildea registered for housing in 1995 and has since received three offers, which she has refused. We will always seek to carry out repairs rather than consider rehousing"

Catherine said the homes offered were no better than her current home.

She said: "The places were flithy and absolutely stank or needed loads of work - I just want somewhere half decent. Everyone can see that the mould is beyond repair."

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