A SINGLE mother today claimed one headache has turned into another after she reported a suspected gas leak at her council home.

Kerry Liddle, 18, says she and her 12-month-old daughter Chantelle Cooney have been left in the cold since a leak was discovered in the main pipe more than a week ago.

She made a complaint to the gas suppliers Transco after suffering a series of headaches.

Since then the teenager has been trying to get Blackburn with Darwen Council to reconnect the house in Ivinson Road, Darwen.

"When I kept getting the headaches I thought it could be carbon monoxide poising so I called out Transcot," said Kerry. "They said there was a leak and turned off everything for our own safety. I couldn't stay at the house with Chantelle because there is no hot water or heating. We are having to stop at my mum's until it gets sorted out."

Kerry is angry that the council have failed to make the house safe for her to return.

She added: "Because it is a council house they have to sort things out but they won't even give me an idea when the work will start."

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Transco had to disconnect the gas supply because of the leak on the pipe which is the council's responsibility. This was repaired last Thursday. The system could not be put on because the gas supply was not connected.

"The tenant was asked to get Transco back and we assume she has. When we attended again on Friday to do the tests and switch the system back on, there was nobody in."

Kerry has been asked to contact the department to arrange a time when town hall contractors can get access to the property and finish the job.

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