A HEAVILY-pregnant mother and her three-year-old son will find themselves on the streets of Droitwich on Monday after losing an appeal against a housing application.

Michelle Howlett, who is due to give birth in five weeks, has been applying to Wychavon District Council to find her a house for the past three months, since being thrown out of her family home in Droitwich.

But officials at the council say she has made herself homeless and therefore they cannot help her.

Miss Howlett has now been given until Monday to leave the bed and breakfast accommodation in Ombersley Street West in Droitwich, provided for her by the council.

"Where am I going to go?" she said. "I'm going to be on the streets. I have tried everywhere - social services, Shelter Line, Citizen's Advice, and they all tell me it's the council's responsibility, but they say they can't do anything now because of legislation."

Miss Howlett moved from her sister's flat in Plymouth earlier this year because of drug addicts who had moved into the property.

"It wasn't safe for me or my son to be in that environment so I had to leave. I had no choice."

She moved in with her mother in Chawson but personality clashes meant her mother asked her to leave.

It was then that the 25-year-old approached Wychavon to help her find accommodation for herself and her three-year-old son Dre.

"After they investigated my claim the lady dealing with my case came to the conclusion that I was not homeless because I had a tenancy agreement in Plymouth.

"If she had checked she would have found out I was no longer on that agreement. I appealed against this decision. I then had an appeal interview."

But the officer concluded that Miss Howlett, who suffers from depression, had made herself homeless because she left the house in Plymouth by choice.

She appealed again against the decision, and her case went before an independent appeals panel.

Again the appeal found in favour of the council and Miss Howlett was sent a letter stating the council would cease payments on her bed and breakfast accommodation on Monday.

"What choice am I left with? Surely they cannot expect me and my son to sleep on the streets? I'm at the end of my tether and I really don't know where to turn.

"I would take any accommodation, a bedsit, flat, anything and anywhere. I cannot afford a deposit for private rent but if someone could let me pay weekly out of my housing benefit that would be good. I'm really desperate now."

Housing services officer at Wychavon, Kath Smith, said that the council was no longer able to help Miss Howlett.

She said: "She has come to the end of the appeals process and we can do no more. She will have to contact social services now."