A COUPLE with a 10-week old daughter claim they are being forced to sleep rough in their car because two councils have failed to find them a home.

However, officials say they only have themselves to blame.

Gordon Kenny and his partner Sharon Maggs were evicted from their Droitwich home - owned by Bromford Carinthia - after running up large rent arrears.

The pair, who also have a seven-year-old daughter, went to Wychavon District Council for help in February, and were put into bed and breakfast accommodation while the council assessed their request.

However, the council ruled they were intentionally homeless - because they had not paid their rent - and said it could not help them.

They appealed against this decision and lost. Their second appeal, heard before a review panel, also failed.

They then appealed to Worcester for help, staying at a B&B while their case was examined.

The couple have now left the B&B, saying they need to stay in Droitwich so their daughter can continue school.

Now the couple claim they are desperate and sleeping rough in their car in the Droitwich countryside.

"It's no fun inside a car with a tiny baby and a seven-year-old, said 39-year-old Mr Kenny.

It is absolutely disgraceful that neither Wychavon or Worcester will help us. I have been everywhere I can think of for help. Turning to the Evening News was my last hope.

"How people expect four of us to survive in a family car, I don't know. We are at our wits' end."

Gay Lloyd, senior housing needs officer for Wychavon District Council said the couple had made themselves intentionally homeless by not paying their rent and the council had no duty to find them a home.

"We have an appeals process that they have fully exhausted. In these

circumstances we give advice, infor-

mation and help as best we can."

Kate Bailey, principal housing strategy officer for Worcester City Council, said the family approached them last Monday and were offered a B&B place.

"Last week, the family left the B&B of their own accord. They want accommodation in Droitwich, but we don't have any.

"They came to see us again today, saying they were homeless. They need to decide whether they want to apply for housing to us or want us to help them find their own accommodation in the private sector."