A family who lost their father to cancer could be evicted from their home, two weeks before Christmas, after a council tax mix-up.

The Smeeds have lived in the three-bedroom house in Chapter Road, Strood, for more than 30 years.

After a short battle with cancer, Bob Smeed, 63, passed away in August.

His two sons presumed they could continue living in the rented home.

However, when landlord mhs homes asked for evidence of council tax bills - confirming who has lived there - it was discovered Mr Smeed had claimed single occupancy.

As a result, the housing association has told the Smeeds they will be evicted by Sunday, December 9.

Spokesman Sarah Boast said: “As a charity we have a responsibility to provide homes for those in greatest housing need.

“We have not yet seen sufficient evidence that, under the rules of succession and our tenancy agreement, the family member qualifies to take the tenancy on.

“Unless the family can provide clear evidence that a right to succession exists, the home will be made available to a household from the Housing Register.

“Even if a claim for succession was accepted, it’s likely they would be offered a smaller property as we would not allow them to take on a property that they would be under-occupying.”

Fibre optic engineer Tayla Smeed, 27, lives in the house with his partner Becky Thompson, 26, his baby son Arlo and his 18-year-old brother, Oliver, a MidKent College student.

Tayla said: “The home is our memories, we don’t want to give that away.

"I want to raise my child in this house, and have Christmas with the rest of the family like we always have.”

Tayla said he would pay the difference in the council tax if it meant they could stay in their home.

Miss Thompson has set up an e-petition asking mhs homes if they can stay which now has received more than 4,000 signatures.