A young mother says her son has developed a phobia of showers due to the state of her accommodation.

Jessica Murray, 20, of Heath Close in Swanley, lives in the West Kent Housing property with her 18-month old son Jacob.

She says he is growing up with a fear of showers because of the ‘disgusting, freezing and mould ridden’ bathroom she uses to wash him.

The bathroom only offers a flush floor shower and also has no heating.

Ms Murray said: “My son is screaming, shaking and hyperventilating within minutes of me even trying to shower him.

“West Kent came to my house and offered me a £5.99 back up paddling pool to wash my son in – it is a joke.”

“My son is screaming, shaking and hyperventilating within minutes of me even trying to shower him."

A Facebook post showcasing Jessica’s bathroom has been viewed almost 13,000 times, with people describing the conditions as “absolutely disgusting” and “shocking”.

Ms Murrary has spent months trying to move into a new home.

She said: “We were moved in here two years ago for temporary accommodation and on our contract it said we were only meant to be in here for six months. The upstairs apartments were all empty but they would not give them to us – we had two bids removed.”

Ms Murray claims they were given to people lower down the priority list. She had been sharing the one bedroom flat with her partner, but they have now broken up.

Ms Murray said: “We have been here for two years now and I have got serious mental health issues. I suffer with borderline personality disorder.”

Efforts to involve local MPs have proved fruitless, while the local council told her that trying to get a house for her family “is like playing the lottery”.

“We have been here for two years now and I have got serious mental health issues. I suffer with borderline personality disorder.”

They said her search for a new home was likely to continue for some time.

A spokesman for West Kent Housing said: “We have sympathy for Ms Murray’s situation. Demand for social housing in the Sevenoaks district exceeds supply.

“To improve her chances Ms Murray should bid on as many properties as possible – houses and flats – and in as wide a search area as possible.

“We are working closely with her to support and give advice.”