THE mother of two children suffering from asthma says their health is deteriorating because the council will not move them out of their damp home.

Ann-Marie Farnsworth claims she has been trying to move out of the two-bedroom council maisonette in Warndon for three years.

Two of her three children, Michael Farnsworth, aged 10, and Liam Lloyd, four, suffer from asthma.

Liam's consultant paediatrician, Dr Douglas Castling, has written to Worcester City Council to support Miss Farnsworth's request.

He said Liam's symptoms were significantly worse during the autumn and winter, when the dampness and mould in the house were at their worst.

"It is very important for both Liam and his brother's chests that they should not be living in an environment of damp and mould, particularly in the bedroom that they sleep in," he said.

Dr Castling said the family should be rehoused in a property with a garden where the boys could benefit from fresh air and outdoor exercise.

Single mum Miss Farnsworth, 27, of Ennerdale Close, said Liam's health had got much worse this year.

She said he had been on antibiotics since December, and was constantly going to the doctor with chest infections.

"The council say it's just condensation," she said. "I've been here for three years and it's been bad ever since we moved in. Parts of the walls are just crumbling away."

The damp and mould have affected the front room, both bedrooms and the bathroom. Miss Farnsworth says she has had to throw furniture away because of the problems.

"I'm really annoyed about it, " she said. "They say it can be repaired, but my children's chests can't be repaired."

The council's housing manager, Iain Harkess, said Miss Farnsworth was registered for a move away from her current accommodation.

"We know she's anxious to move away and we have details of her two sons' asthma being affected," he said.

"That affects her level of priority, but the waiting list for three-bedroom accommodation is still quite long.

"It's unlikely we will be able to offer her anything very quickly."