Disgusted South Shields mum plagued by slugs in her home - pests snapped climbing walls and sliming carpet

A South Shields mum says says she is at her wits end after being plagued by slugs climbing her walls and leaving slime trails in her living room.

By Sophie Brownson

Published 19th Apr 2021, 06:00 BST

Updated 19th Apr 2021, 10:33 BST

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Margaret Holden, from Farne Avenue, claims she has been living in damp conditions for more than a year despite complaining to South Tyneside Council on a number of occasions.

The mum-of-three says the damp in the walls and floor of her living room has got so bad that she now regularly sees slugs.

The 28-year-old believes her children’s health is now being affected by the damp as her 10-month-old son is suffering from croup, which she claims doctors have told her is linked to the conditions.

(Right) Margaret Holden outside of her home on Farne Avenue South Shields, with children Lacey, four, Melissa, two, and 10 month old William and mother June Holden (left).

(Right) Margaret Holden outside of her home on Farne Avenue South Shields, with children Lacey, four, Melissa, two, and 10 month old William and mother June Holden (left).

"I reported it to the council last year (2020) when I was pregnant with my son,” she said.

"They said they were going to do something about it then but they didn’t. I have raised it numerous times.

"They expect me to live with damp and slugs when I have three young children – one of which has a heart condition.”

Margaret, who is a full time mum to Melissa-Rose Holden, two, William Robert Holden, 10 months and Lacey Mae Holden, aged four.

Margaret has shared photos of slugs on the walls and floors of her living room.

Margaret has shared photos of slugs on the walls and floors of her living room.

Little battler Lacey was given a 1% chance of living when medics discovered a hole in her heart at 10 weeks old.

Mum Margaret, who has lived at the property for five years, says she and her children have now moved back in with her parents until the problem is resolved.

Council housing in the borough is run by South Tyneside Homes, an arms-length management organisation created by South Tyneside Council.

The housing authority said it visited the property twice following Margaret’s complaints, but found no signs of damp in the walls.

One of slugs on the wall of the living room.

One of slugs on the wall of the living room.

A spokeswoman said the authority will continue to speak to Margaret about her concerns.

She said: “We were first made aware of Ms Holden’s concerns about damp and slugs in August 2020.

"Since then, a surveyor has visited the property on two occasions and found no signs of damp in the walls.

"Follow-up appointments have been made to allow the tenant to lift carpets so that the floors could be inspected.

"However on both occasions the surveyor was unable to gain entry as the tenant was not home. We will continue to liaise with the resident.”

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