A FAMILY says they are "desperate" for help after battling a bed bug infestation for at least a year.

They have had to strip their walls of wallpaper, throw beds away and get rid of carpets to fight the pests.

But they "still keep coming back", says mum Sharon Brookes.

READ MORE: 'Crawling in her Moses basket': Mum reports nightmare bed bug infestation

The 52-year-old told the Echo that she is "mortified and embarrassed".

She said: "We have never lived like this. We have done everything we could possibly do.

"We've had more than 10 treatments and they still keep coming back.

"We have got rid of beds, stripped the walls of wallpaper, got rid of carpets, sprayed everything. We have lost everything."

She lives with her husband and full-time carer, 62-year-old Alan, as well as her 19-year-old daughter and two-year-old grandson.

The family-of-four live in a council house in Kingsclere Avenue, Weston.

Sharon struggles with a range of health issues, including acute psoriasis, which is made worse by stress.

She says the council have charged them £375 for dealing with the issue, which started last summer.

"I have begged the council to move us out but they refuse because apparently, we can take the bugs with us," she said.

She said that for three months her daughter and grandson had to sleep on the floor before they had to get them a blow-up mattress, and she slept on a sofa because they got rid of their bed.

She added: "We are too old for this. We can't relax or rest.

"I have woken up with bed bugs on my face. I have had enough of it. We just need help. It has been going on too long."

It is not the first home in the city to be infested with the bugs.

At least one flat in Albion Towers is crawling with them, as reported by the Echo.

The city council says there are reports of bed bugs across the city, and that they are not just found in council blocks.

A spokesperson said: "Our housing team is working with Pest Control to support the resident and treat the infestation.

"Pest control is a tenant’s responsibility and as such a chargeable service. Where tenants are unable to afford the full cost of treatment, affordability assessments are completed and payment instalments considered.

"The cost is also subsidised for council tenants who access the service through the housing team.

"The cost will depend on the extent of the infestation on how many visits are needed, number of staff required and the duration required for each visit. If tenants have a pest problem, there is advice on our website and experts in the Pest Control department can be contacted for more details."

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