The family of a severely disabled woman who spent nearly two years in hospital say they need to urgently move to a more suitable home so she can enjoy a "normal, decent life".

Chelsea Kirby was admitted to Maidstone Hospital for aspirational pneumonia in October 2016 and spent 23 months battling the condition, while also living with cerebral palsy, scoliosis and Hirschprung's disease, before being discharged in time for Christmas on November 26 last year.

However, while delighted to be back at her family home in Snodland with mum Karen, 56, dad Richard, 57, and sister Kirsten, 22, Miss Kirby has found life difficult over the last two months.

The 26-year-old needs a guardian both in front and behind her when climbing stairs, and help getting in and out of the bath - exercises which often leave both her, and her parents, exhausted.

Ideally, they are looking for a bungalow with a wet room to help improve their daughter's mobility, while also being close enough geographically to cope with regular returns to the hospital.

Their house in Willowside, where they have lived since 1999, is one of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's social properties and is just a 20-minute drive from the hospital on a good day but no longer appropriate for her complex needs.

They have also applied to join Maidstone council's housing register in a bid to reduce that journey further, but were turned down last year on the grounds that no immediate family members already lived in the borough.

Mrs Kirby said: "Chelsea spent a hell of a lot of time in hospital and became very close to the staff there.

"She's loved being home but she needs her own space, which she isn't getting in this house.

"It needs to be wheelchair accessible and close to the hospital - she was born there and they know her inside out.

"It's been intense for all of us, but she's my child, you have to do it for your children because you love them, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"We just need a bit of help, to find an appropriate property for her to have a normal, decent life."

Maidstone council said its housing and inclusion team have been working closely with the Kirbys over the last year to advise and support them in finding suitable accommodation.

A spokesperson said: "An MBC representative met and corresponded with the family on a regular basis to help and explain the process and what was required in terms of the documentation required to prove suitability.

"This included requests to extend the application deadline on two occasions when proofs were not submitted within the specified timescale to support the application so that it could be considered, and suggesting contacting the Homechoice Team regarding the family submitting an appeal on exceptional circumstances outlining the need for them to be closer to Maidstone Hospital.

"The Maidstone Borough Council Housing and Inclusion Team will always endeavour to support anyone in our area who requires advice regarding the process of acquiring appropriate housing."

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's housing manager Linda Hibbs added: "We are aware of this case but clearly cannot discuss any detail as we have no agreement to disclose.

"Like anyone else on the housing register who approaches us for help with housing we will work with them towards finding a solution."