A family have faced months of living in a house with severe damp problems after repairs were delayed by Bolton at Home due to coronavirus.

For six months one family member was unable to sleep in his room as the damp was so bad he feared for his health.

Over three years the Boast family in Farnworth have reported several issues to Bolton at Home involving damp, including black mould growing on the walls.

Although these problems have been temporarily fixed in the past, reduced services this year have led to the issue getting worse in recent months.

In August the chimney breast was removed in a bedroom to resolve the problem, however the damp has since returned.

Bolton at Home have issued an apology regarding the delays, and will be attending to the matter at the start of next month.

The situation has left the family feeling disheartened, particularly as mum of two Gina Boast, 43, suffers from several health problems.

She said: "It's very depressing to live here, I'm sure they wouldn't let their own children live in a place like this.

"I'm worried about my own health as I suffer from asthma and arthritis, in the summer I had to be placed on oxygen for five days it was that bad.

"My immune system is very poor and I have to inject myself with antibodies each week, so I fear for the impact this has on my health."

Gina's son Reece, 21, was forced to sleep in the dining room before the chimney breast was removed as the family feared the room was uninhabitable.

His mum said: "After they removed the chimney Reece spent hundreds of pounds buying new furniture, only for it to be ruined a few weeks later as the damp returned.

"Water is seeping down the walls and it feels like a freezer in there.

"I hate seeing Reece like this, both him and his dad work hard and spent money to make the house nice, but then it gets ruined by all the damp.

"It makes me feel that I should go into private renting instead, but that's risky as landlords can decide to sell up.

"I need somewhere stable and safe to live as my health isn't great, I don't want to have to keep moving out.

"I just hope something get's done because I don't know how we will carry on."

Paul Taylor, Director of Technical Services for Bolton at Home, said: “We’re sorry for the delay in being able to carry out repairs at Miss Boast’s home. This was due to us operating an emergency repairs service only between the end of March and mid-September because of the pandemic.

“We have an inspector going to assess the damp issues at the property on November 3. We will then make further appointments to arrange any required works and address any other concerns Miss Boast may have with her home.

“We’d like to thank people for their patience during the last few months and reassure them we’ll work through the backlog of repairs as quickly as we can, while also ensuring the safety of our tenants and colleagues.”