A family with a baby say their council flat has become a living hell because of the black mould which covers almost every wall.

Paul Walton and Nicola Dennis are fighting a losing battle against the fungal invasion and claim that even the experts have given up on it.

The couple live with their three young children in a two-bed, first floor flat in Suffolk Road on the Spring Lane estate in Canterbury.

Paul, 28, a hospital porter, said: “It’s a living hell because we have tried everything to make the flat nice but the decoration and our furniture, children’s toys and clothes are being ruined and we have to throw a lot away.

“We have had to buy new curtains, wallpaper and regularly redecorate, but it just comes back in a few weeks and we even get mushrooms growing out of the walls. It’s everywhere, including our bedrooms, which is just unacceptable.

“I’ve scrubbed it away with bleach and council contractors have tried different solutions without success. We have even had building inspectors who don’t have a fix.

“All the council tells us is that we shouldn’t dry our washing in the house and open the windows when our heating is on. But we don’t have anywhere else to dry it and I can’t afford to throw money away on heating bills.

“We try to keep the flat well ventilated. We’ve tried everything but the mould is far too serious.”

“In fact, one of the contractors who came to look at it, said the only way to solve it was for no one to live in the flat.

“I am really worried about the health of the children who have suffered with chest infections which our doctor says is probably connected to it.”

Nicola, 24, who has two boys, Brandon, six, and Connor, three, from a previous relationship and seven-month-old Archie with Paul, says the problem has reduced her to tears and made her depressed.

“We shouldn’t have to live like this, but keep being told it is all our fault.

“We even tried contacting our MP Julian Brazier who wrote to the city council on our behalf, but was told it was our fault.

“We are not on benefits and pay rent to the council but will need to move if it goes on like this.

“The trouble is that under the new housing rules we have dropped down the priority for a three-bedroom home and can’t afford to rent in the private sector.”