A FURIOUS mother-of-three claims she is being forced to sleep in a bed with her daughter - because the council cannot find them a bigger house.

Council tenant Debbie Clarridge, of Thanet Road, Acomb, York, has been trying to get rehoused from a two-bedroomed to a three-bedroomed property since her daughter Helen - who suffers from Rubenstein disease - was born five years ago.

Housing chiefs have offered her larger accommodation outside Acomb, but it was too far away from Helen's special school, Lidgett Grove. Rubenstein disease is a brain disorder similar to autism.

"I've been passed from pillar to post," said Miss Clarridge, who also has two teenage sons.

"The house is totally cramped. I'm having to share a bed with Helen because there is no room. It's a nightmare. Some nights I have to sleep downstairs because I don't want to disturb her.

"All I've had is excuses from the council."

But a City of York Council spokeswoman said it was doing all they could to find a suitable house.

She said: "The council has been working hard to identify a suitable property for Debbie Clarridge and her family for a number of years.

"The special needs of her daughter have made Miss Clarridge's case a high priority and we have been looking to identify a three-bedroom property for the family in the area that they have chosen.

"However, because the family have specified that they want to move to a specific area and don't want to consider homes elsewhere in the city, they have to wait until a house becomes available.

"At the moment, because the area they want to move to is in high demand, properties don't quickly become available. As soon as something suitable comes up, Miss Clarridge and her family will be a priority."

But Miss Clarridge said: "I can't believe they've not been able to find anything in five years.

"It's not for me - it's for Helen. The current situation is not doing her any good."

Updated: 09:46 Friday, March 14, 2003