A student nurse is having to stay in her damp-ridden council flat despite her doctor's concerns it is affecting her health.

Natalie Walkes, 27, has lived in the council owned flat in Princess Road, Selhurst, for the last seven years.

The tenant has had to get rid of her furniture after it got damaged by mould and damp and stays in her room due to the living room, bathroom and kitchen all having damp issues.

Due to the dampness in the house, slugs have begun to appear and according to Miss Walkes, all the inspectors and contractors that have said the floor is rotten with some of it now falling through.

Croydon Council sent workers round to repair the damage and plaster the living room but dampness continues to affect the walls.

In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 the council have tried to treat the kitchen and living room but on each occasion it has failed to fix the problem.

Miss Walkes, who suffers from Asthma, went through the process of having allergy testing in her last flat to prove that the damp environment was affecting her health.

Her doctors said she should not stay in a damp flat. She has been to hospital a number of times because her astham is worsening in the flat.

The 27-year-old said her current flat has deteriorated since she moved there in 2005.

One house inspector told Miss Walkes that repair could be completed at the beginning of next year, an offer which she believes is not good enough.

She said: "I just don't think this is acceptable, especially if you leave me living in it through the coldest, wettest time of the year.

"I am sure they need to ensure my property is liveable and safe, just as I ensure I pay my rent every month. They are not keeping up their end of the deal."

A Council spokesman said: "Our contractor has visited Miss Walkes to survey her property and visited again on Monday to carry out water proofing.

"Now the cause of the damp has been established, we have also installed dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process.

"A plumber also visited on Monday in response to Miss Walkes reporting leaks from the flat above."