Army veteran, 76, forced to live in mouldy flat where MUSHROOMS grow on the walls

A 76-year-old Army veteran say he fears for his health after being forced to live in a mould-ridden flat where MUSHROOMS have grown on the walls.

Alan Matthews is embroiled in a bitter dispute with his local council after his property repeatedly flooded leaving it riddled with damp and black mould.

He says the local authority has since refused to pay for the damaged caused to his belongings at the council flat in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

The grandad-of-one says he's even had mushrooms growing in his bathroom and living room and the problems keep returning despite his walls being replastered.

He has also been left with floor tiles crumbling beneath his feet and now suffers with a constant cough after being exposed to the grim conditions.

Mr Matthews has lived in his flat for 10 years but says the problems started around three years ago when the wet room in a flat above began leaking.

This led to the stomach-churning discovery of his neighbour's poo being found in his bath.

The flooding also caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to his furniture - including his TV, sofa, cupboards and carpets.

Mr Matthews, who served for ten years in the British Army with the Staffordshire Regiment, is now is demanding action from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

He says they have done little to resolve the issues and he has now been advised not to hoover up the dust in his flat while he awaits an asbestos inspection.

Mr Matthews, who served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Panama, said: “The mushroom’s and mould were in my living room and bathroom. I wasn’t very pleased to say the least.

“After the first leak black mould started to grow but they didn’t damp proof the walls when they replastered.

"Then it came through the plaster board again in 2022 - but this time more severe to the point where my carpet was damaged.

"Then on Boxing Day last year I went to visit my terminally-ill brothers in Australia for three months.

"I had a friend keeping an eye on the place and she called me saying the neighbour’s flat must have leaked again and my entire flat was flooded. The water was coming down the walls.

“There was black mould and mushrooms growing on the walls, the floor felt unsafe, and even the light fittings had rusted and had mould growing on them.

"All my furniture and carpet were ruined. Friends told me there was moss growing on the walls.

"My neighbour’s poo has been in my bath because of the leaks. I had to have a portapotty. It was disgusting, and was only taken away about a month ago.

“It’s been going on for a couple of years now, there was a flood in the same place. I’ve got someone above me and that’s where all the damp and floods coming from.

“It’s not the old lady above’s fault. I’ve had about five floods and one major one.

“All my tiles have come off on my bathroom floor, I’ve had to take up my bathroom floor. Every time I walk I break tiles.”