A mum-of-six has spoken of her despair after claiming years of unresolved mould problems has left her family with health issues.

Little Archie Richards is just 18 months old but he has already been to the doctor seven times with a recurring chest infection.

Bernice Bounds claims Archie’s asthma and respiratory problems are caused by the serious mould problem in their three-bed council house in Flaxpond Road, South Ashford.

The 34-year-old, who works part-time at McDonald’s, said she keeps complaining to the council.

She said: “I have had the council out so many times but they just put white paint over everything and tell me to keep the heating on but it doesn’t work. It just comes back after a couple of weeks.”

Mrs Bounds who shares the house with partner Ben Richards, 25 and her six children, said the problem has been going on for 10 years.

She added: “Enough is enough. The problem is obviously not going to be fixed and there’s too many of us for this house now anyway.

“We have been told I’m entitled to a four-bedroom property but we have been on the waiting list for about three years now.

“I keep bidding for them when they come up but never get it, I feel like we’re trapped here.

“I already spend most evenings with an asthma pump in my hand. It is scary when it happens.

“You feel like you can’t breathe and I try not to scare the kids.”

Mrs Bounds, who has three boys, aged 16, 14 and 13, two girls, aged 11 and five as well as Archie, said she’s desperate for her family to get away from the problem.

She added: “I know they are building new houses in the area, and I don’t want to move far because my kids are at school.

“But this mould problem is untreatable. I clean it regularly, leave the heating on and do what I can but there’s only so long I can have windows open in this weather.

“I have to redecorate every time it happens and I’ve just had enough.”

An Ashford Borough Council (ABC) spokesman said they have been in discussion with Mrs Bounds about her concerns and wish to move.

He said: "After inspection of the property our repairs team identified a programme of work that would be required in order to treat the mould and to resolve the situation in the long-term.

"There are some steps that they could take to prevent its re-occurrence. We will speak with the tenants in the hope that they will agree to all of the aspects required, including the fitting of pacifier vents. The absence of these was one of the reasons that we believe the mould repeatedly came back."

ABC said it would assist the family’s bid to move through the Choice Based Lettings bidding process.

He added: "We have also explained how they may go about seeking a mutual exchange and what they will need to do with the property to ensure it passes a pre-transfer inspection.

"We understand the parameters the family have regarding remaining close to the schools their children attend and will do all we can to assist them should a suitable property become available."