A Swindon mum and her family are set to return to their permanent home but fear that there are still rats in the property.

Shannon Mabberley has been living in temporary accommodation along with partner Luke and their one-year-old twins since the beginning of April.

This was after the couple’s Walcot maisonette was infested with rats leading to a lack of storage and hygiene which forced the family out.

The original aim was to stay two weeks while housing company Stonewater dealt with the problem - but three months have now passed.

Swindon Advertiser: Shannon says she tripped on a rat in her bathroom. Shannon says she tripped on a rat in her bathroom. (Image: Dave Cox)

“We were told that the rats were nesting under the floorboards and in our walls and I saw them in my kitchen and even tripped on one in my bathroom,” said Shannon.

“It was horrible as I could not eat anything because of the rats being everywhere and we had to throw everything away.

“A special pushchair worth £650 for my son who suffers from seizures was eaten and destroyed by the rats.”

The 25-year-old mum claims that Stonewater have told her that she can move back into the property, but she insists that the problems remain.

“We had a call recently to say that the rats are gone and they will not be doing any more work,” said Shannon.

Swindon Advertiser: Luke and Shannon has been living in temporary accommodation for three months.Luke and Shannon has been living in temporary accommodation for three months. (Image: Dave Cox)

“They’re expecting me to take my kids back there but our space is tiny and now it is cluttered as we can’t store anything.

“The cupboard and loft stink of rat urine, and we can’t put stuff in those places due to the contamination so our house is cramped.”

The biggest fear for Shannon and Luke is how the lives of their twin boys will be affected by the move.

“My kids have learned to walk since being in temporary housing because at home they only have space to take three steps,” she said.

“We currently have a load of stuff in our children’s cots, on our bed and all over the bedroom which can’t be put anywhere.”

The Adver approached Stonewater for comment.

A spokesperson for the housing company said: “We do share Ms Mabberley’s frustrations and have been doing all we can to sort things.

“After initial treatment proved ineffective, we wanted to be confident the rats were 100% eradicated and this has taken some time with a combination of repeated baiting and monitoring by a specialist pest control contractor.”

“We’ve now had assurance it’s been resolved so will look to complete the work by further sealing entry points and arranging a thorough deep clean of the property.”