THREE Winchester families, who want to swap houses, say they are being hindered by council policy and now they plan to take their campaign to the city's MP.

The homes they currently live in no longer suit their needs and, by exchanging, they claim they will all be more comfortable.

Robert and Phyllis Wyatt, both in their 60s, have lived in their four-bedroom council house in Garbett Road, Winnall, for 35 years.

Now that their four children have all "flown the nest", the couple would like to move to a smaller house closer to where their daughter lives, in Fromond Road, Weeke.

Claire Fay, with her partner and two young children, live in a two-bedroom house near to the Wyatts' daughter -and they would like a three-bedroom home in the area where the Wyatts currently live.

At the same time, Tricia Chin, with her partner and three children, are discovering that there isn't enough space in their three-bedroom home.

They live four doors away from the Wyatts, in Imber Road, Winnall, and would like a bigger house in the same area.

Winchester City Council has ruled out a swap because they say that Miss Fay's two-bedroom home is too big for the Wyatts-even though their present home is twice the size.

Mr and Mrs Wyatt have asked three times to move to Claire's house but the request has always been turned down because the council says they would be "under-occupying".

Mr Wyatt, who worked for the council's water department before he retired, said he would be taking his case to Winchester MP Mark Oaten.

"I'm 67 and I've always lived in Winchester and deserve to be treated better," he said.

"We just want to move to this small two-bedroom house and free up a larger house for a young family who really need it. It's a simple three-way swap, it's not interfering with anyone and there's no extra expense to the council.

"The only other properties available in the area where we want to live are old people's bungalows, but we have always lived in a house. My hobby is making rabbit hutches and you couldn't do that in an old people's bungalow," he said.

Claire said: "I can't find any other exchange except this one-it would be ideal."

Tricia added: "There's a shortage of four-bedroom houses in the area and this is probably the only chance we'll get to swap."

The council has said that while tenants can swap to a house with one room above their needs, Miss Fay's has a separate lounge and dining room which means it is too big for the Wyatts-although the house they currently live in also has a separate living room.

A council spokesman said there was a long waiting list for two-bedroom properties in the area.

"We understand the issues involved but we believe we have made the right decision," he said.

"We know it would release a four-bedroom house, but the property Mr and Mrs Wyatt wish to move into is bigger than their needs. We have offered them other properties, but they have declined.

"We operate a flexible policy and we have tried to accommodate them, but this case is not viable, given the demand in that area for two-bedroom houses. We could not justify putting them into this particular house in front of 200 families who need this type of accommodation."

Mr Oaten said: "What I want to say about this case is that it appears to make sense to agree to this change, but it may be more complicated. I am happy to meet all those concerned to see if I can help."