A YOUNG Worcester family have been moved into emergency accommodation after the house they were staying in has been deemed unsafe.

Craig Bennett, aged 23, his partner Clare Jones, 18, and their 18-month-old son Tyler moved into the Laslett Street flat in Rainbow Hill in July.

However, the couple, who are on housing benefit, say the property - which is owned by a private landlord and approved by the city council - is unsafe.

Mr Bennett told your Worcester News that many of the electric sockets were not earthed, they regularly experienced power cuts and even had sparks coming out of their light switches.

He said: "The bulb blew and the baby was below. Glass shattered all over him but luckily he was alright and wasn't cut. One of our relatives had an electric shock off the light. There is no earth in the socket.

"When he went to turn the light on in the bedroom a big blue spark shot out."

Miss Jones added: "I am so worried about the baby when he starts to crawl. We are getting really down about it. It is really stressful being a new mum and having this happen."

The couple have been placed in one-room emergency accommodation in Bath Road by the council, which they say has no washing facilities and not enough room for the baby's cot.

Mr Bennett added: "It is very stressful living here just with the four walls and we have nearly split up a number of times. We have no cooker. All we want is somewhere safe to live."

The couple say they have been in touch with the council, the Citizens Advice Bureau and their local councillor Paul Denham a number of times and hope the situation will soon be resolved.

Councillor Denham said: "They are still far from happy and the room isn't even big enough to fit a baby's cot. I hope something is done very soon to help them."

Kate Bailey, the principal strategic housing officer at the city council, said the flat had been given a 'category one hazard' rating which means the council has a duty to take legal action against the landlord.

She added: "All officers are trained to do the housing, health and safety rating system which enables the officer to work out the likelihood of risk."

She said the property was examined by an electrician and the landlord was served with a notice at Christmas and had until Thursday, February 14, to complete the necessary work or be taken to court.