A mother desperate to move her family out of a cramped, mould infested flat has called for more help from Merton Council.

Kelly Barnes, 24, lives in a one-bedroom council flat in Raynes Park with her two daughters aged two and five. Teachers, doctors and health visitors have all said the conditions are harming the family.

Last week the council promised to install more extractor fans to try and tackle the mould problem, but said the council housing shortage meant a move was impossible at the moment.

Earlier this year a health visitor who saw the flat in Bushey Court said although “Ms Barnes is a caring mother and has kept the property to the best of her ability”, the conditions were causing health problems for the family - a view backed by Dr Graham Mason of the Cannon Lane Medical Practice.

In a letter to the council Anita Saville, headteacher at Joseph Hood Primary School, said the cramped flat was having an impact on five-year-old Leah’s education.

She said: “I am very concerned about the effect these living conditions are having on Leah. She is constantly tired and I’m sure this is due to the fact that she is sleeping in a cot which is too small.”

Ms Barnes said despite years of complaints about the declining state of the flat, the council has only recently admitted the scale of the problem.

A council spokesman said: "Our contractor visited the family offering advice about reducing condensation and mould in the home. Additional extractor fans and other preventative works will also take place when access is granted.

"We acknowledge that this family, like many, has to wait longer than we would like for an offer of a larger home. With over 7,000 households on the register and only about 450 lettings every year, it’s not always possible to help families as quickly as we’d hope.

“Staff can offer support and advice to families with more specific needs in terms of location or garden space if they wish to explore private renting options."

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