A HOUSING association has promised to look into the living conditions of a single mum after her case was taken up by a district councillor.

Claire Bray claims conditions in the Elgar Housing-owned flat she has lived in for seven years are so bad that she has been forced to abandon her bedroom and sleep in the same room as her seven-year-old son.

She pays £35 per week rent for the Knapp Way property and originally took the association to task in August, when she said she had to throw away bedroom and hall carpets ruined by damp.

The property has a number of cracks in its walls and damp is also a problem in the bathroom.

Malvern Hills District Councillor Christine Wild has now taken up her case and Elgar was due to meet Ms Bray as The Gazette went to press yesterday (Thursday), to discuss her concerns.

Ms Wild said: "What I've been trying to do is represent Claire's viewpoint to Elgar because she has failed on her own with the problem.

"What I've found difficult is that she has had to wait so long. The property requires quite a lot of attention because she has got severe cracks, dangerous looking electrics and it's very cold. It's winter now and she still has not had any work done.

"Claire feels cheated because she's paying full rent and thinks what she's living in is substandard. I'm shocked that she lives in such appalling conditions."

Elgar Housing said that checks had found the property had no structural problems and was not in danger of subsiding.

Executive director Clare Huyton suggested Ms Bray's desire to be relocated was at the root of the complaints.

"She's adequately housed although there are issues about work that needs doing," she said.

Ms Huyton said that after the meeting, with an area housing officer, relocation could be considered but she declined to say if that was an option at this stage.