A WHEELCHAIR-bound mother, living with her husband and baby in a one-bedroomed flat, is pleading to be rehomed.

Claire Dixon, 32, who has cerebral palsy, lives with husband Andrew and baby James in a flat owned by Cheshire Homes in Marske.

She told The Northern Echo in December that she was desperate to move before she gave birth to her son, who was born ten weeks ago.

But no suitable property has been found for her and she is concerned that once her son moves into a cot, there will be no space for her to move around the house in her wheelchair.

She said: "I feel very frustrated. I am already playing musical wheelchairs and we have had to sell furniture.

"We cannot afford to buy because I had to give up work because of health problems and we can't get a property based on my husband, Andrew's income. All we want is a ground- level property with two bedrooms."

National charity John Grooms, which promotes independent living for people with disabilities, is backing Mrs Dixon in her fight to move.

A spokesman forthe charity said: "It is outrageous that Claire's situation has not been resolved, especially when you take into consideration the many promises that the local council made to the media about her case back in December.

"At John Grooms we are calling on local authorities to address the needs of disabled people and make a commitment to build ten per cent of new houses to wheelchair standard.

"It is only then, that people like Claire will be able to start living life on their own terms."

In a joint statement issued by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Coast and Country Housing, a spokesman said: "We accept Claire has special needs and we are doing all we can to resolve the situation.

"But it must be understood that Claire has not got the outright medical priority that a lot of other applicants have and that the availability of the type of property she wants is very scarce.

"We want to create a liaison between Coast and Country Housing and our social services department so we can ensure our continuing search not only meets Claire's needs but that once a property is found that it will be suitable for her or can be adapted to her needs."