A COUPLE and their two young children have been living in freezing conditions for two years claiming that the council have failed to repair damage to their home.

The health of asthma sufferer Christine and husband Eric Dickinson, who is registered disabled with a stomach disorder, worsened after gaping holes appeared in the property two years ago and started 'blowing a gale' through the home on Lytham Road, Blackburn.

And the two young children have suffered colds due to the damage cause by general wear and tear of the council property.

Christine said: "We just cannot take anymore. We have to huddle together in the living room to keep warm and have to go to bed early with a hot water bottle and electric blanket because it is freezing."

She added: "There is a hole big enough to get your fist through in the kitchen and in the living room you can see outside through the gaps at both sides of the window. The back door has huge holes in it and Eric has tried to board it up to keep out the cold. Paper is stuffed in the other holes but it is still icy."

The couple, who have three other children living away from home, claim to have contacted the local area housing office, to get the damage repaired, but the council did not turn up to inspect the property for two years.

Christine said: "An inspector came just before Christmas. He said we could not carry on with the property in the state it is and said he would put us at the top of the priorities list. Still nothing has been done."

A spokesperson for Blackburn Council said: "We are not aware of any consistent complaints of that nature at this address but we will be investigating the situation as soon as possible."

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