A FAMILY forced out of their flat twice in a few days are celebrating after being allowed home.

Paul and Wendy Cripps and their two children have been allowed back into their flat at Copse Road in Townhill Park, Southampton.

Housing bosses are also forging ahead with a plan to let them move to a house with a garden.

The family was forced to abandon their top-floor property on May 22 after a neighbouring flat caught fire.

They were allowed back two days later but had to move out again after rain poured through a hole in the fire-damaged roof and ended up living in cold and cramped accommodation in Vincent Road.

Following inquiries by the Daily Echo housing bosses let them return to their flat and ordered the necessary repairs to the property.

They also told the family that they can move to a house in Harefield in the next few days.