A Deal mum says she has been forced to bath her young children at a friend's house because her own is too unsafe.

Louise New, of Links Road, has suffered a leak in her bathroom for more than six months despite reporting it to housing association Moat Housing.

But after her foot went through the damp floor last Thursday and the matter was still not resolved, she contacted this newspaper claiming it was her "last resort".

The mum of three whose youngest child is five months old is now set to be receive a full re-fit with her case marked as a "matter of priority".

Ms New, a kitchen assistant at Sandown Primary School, said: "I've had the leak in my house since last September.

"It's in my upstairs bathroom. It's been coming through the ceiling into the hallway downstairs.

"One time it was gushing through the ceiling all through the light fittings.

"I've had people round to look at it and they told me it was safe.

"I've even taken time off work to make sure I'm here when they come and they only stay for about 10 minutes.

"Then my foot went through the floor. "

She added: "Luckily it was me. I have a nine-year-old and an eight-year-old and they get up to use the toilet in the night when I might be asleep."

Despite being a tenant who has always paid her rent on time, Ms New said she felt like her concerns weren't being listened to.

Only two weeks ago, workmen replaced the toilet system but the leak continued. She then contacted the Mercury.

She added: "I've been going to my friend's to bath the children and walking them home because I don't drive.

"If I didn't have children it wouldn't be so bad but I'm concerned for their safety.

"I think it's unacceptable."

A spokesman for Moat Housing said: "We are sorry for the upset we have caused Ms New and her family. This is not our usual level of customer service and we are investigating how this has happened.

"We are working with Ms New, as a matter of priority, to fully resolve the issue."

The company has since been in touch with Ms New and have started to make arrangements for a full re-fit of her bathroom.