Parents-to-be fight to move from mouldy flat

Karen Smith, 20, and her partner, John Bourne, 22, are expecting their first child in November but live in a mould-infested one-room flat in Francis Street.

They said they had been told by West Wiltshire Housing Society they will not be moved, a claim the society denies.

Mr Bourne said: "The housing society aren't going to move us out of here but this place isn't fit to live in."

The couple have been on the society's waiting list since the beginning of the year and Miss Smith's midwife has now written to the housing society to support the couple's bid to be re-housed.

She wrote: "The accommodation that she lives in with her partner is unsuitable for bringing a newborn baby home to live in."

Housing society spokesman Rebecca O'Neil said there was no question of the pair being taken off the list to be re-housed and it was just a question of waiting for a suitable property to be found, but could not guarantee they would be moved in time for the baby's birth.

She said: "They initially registered early in the year before the pregnancy and have had a change of circumstances. We are looking for a suitable property to become available. We will do our utmost to ensure they are moved before the baby is due in November."

The couple have been trying to prepare for the birth of their son, buying the equipment they will need, but have found that the items they have bought home have gone mouldy as well.

Miss Smith said the damp has made the sickness she has felt through her pregnancy worse and fears the damp atmosphere could affect her baby's health.

The couple said the housing society had treated the mould in February but it grew back within weeks.

Ms O'Neil said: "As regards maintenance we are working with them to find a suitable time for a contractor to come in and do the work."

Miss Smith and Mr Bourne said there are also other problems at the flat, including a cracked ceiling.