Southend Council has paid £12,500 compensation to a tenant whose flat was so damp that slugs climbed up the bed.

Christopher Wood, 41, suffered worsening health problems as mould flourished, and furniture and carpets rotted.

For two years he repeatedly told council staff about the damp problems at his one-bedroomed flat in Chase Road, Southend.

When this had no effect he eventually sought legal advice and has now won a £12,500 out of court settlement, plus legal fees.

His troubles began when he was moved for health reasons to the ground floor flat from his previous home.

He was suffering from a double hernia and cancer and needed to be on the ground floor because he had difficulty walking.

Mr Wood said: "When I first went into the flat to look at it, I could smell it was damp but I was told they would put a damp course in and it would all be finished before I moved in.

"About four months later they let me move in. Then the damp started to show. I had slugs climbing up my bed and I had to throw it out in the end.

"There was mould up the walls all over the furniture. It went all white. Mould spores are alive and eat into the furniture.

"They came from the council to look at it on several occasions and they said it was my fault.

"They said it was condensation and I should open more windows. Then they said I should turn the heating on more. They had put in electric storage heaters but my bill for the first quarter was £600."

Mr Wood has moved to another Southend property.

Southend Council assistant director of housing services, Mike Gatrell, said: "This isn't a case of the council being taken to court, or acting to avoid going to court. This relates to a claim against the council's insurers and the compensation is in respect of that."

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