A SINGLE mum forced from her Worcester home last Christmas due to flooding is to have another miserable time after being served with a court summons.

Diane Moss, whose Diglis home was flooded by river water and sewage, is being taken to court for not paying council tax.

Worcester City Council had already told the mum-of-two that it would not be "chasing" anyone in these circumstances.

But now she faces the prospect of a New Year court appearance.

"I can't believe it," said Mrs Moss, of Diglis Avenue. "When we were flooded last year we couldn't live in our home and we had to rent another place.

"The council said they would sort things out and I wouldn't be charged for both properties. They said not to worry."

But a few weeks ago Mrs Moss, whose daughters are aged four and six, received a final demand for more than £140.

"I phoned up and the council said they'd given me a discount," she said. "I'm on benefits and I can't afford to pay this.

"Now I've been sent a court summons for non-payment of council tax."

Mrs Moss is due to appear in court on Friday, January 11.

"I'm not going to pay. It's not my fault we had to live elsewhere," she said. "But every time I try to speak to someone I face a brick wall."

The summons has angered members of Worcester Action Against Floods (WAAF), who say there is a lack of consistency within the city.

"Everyone on the committee was very shocked to hear this," said chairman Mary Dhonau.

"What is right for Hylton Road and other people who got full rebates should be right for Diglis.

"It's appalling that one of the most vulnerable people should be picked on and go to court. We thought there was just inconsistency nation-wide but now we hear it's within the city."

Hylton Road resident Lesley Bond received a full rebate after complaining she had been billed for two properties after being flooded out of her riverside home.

Meanwhile, Mrs Moss appeared on the front page of the Evening News last December after she was also sent two bills for council tax.

At the time Rob Appleby, the head of revenue and benefits at Worcester City Council, said it was waiting for guidance from the Government as to whether flood victims were liable for second payments.

"We don't think it's right," he said.

No one was available from the council as the Evening News went to Press.