A little girl with chronic lung disease is having to sleep with her parents in the dining room because her newly-built bedroom is too damp.

Four-year-old Jade Lawson lives with her parents, four siblings and great-grandmother in a council house at North Road, Portslade.

Brighton and Hove City Council agreed to build a specially-adapted extension to meet Jade's needs and ease the family's overcrowding.

But, six months after it should have been finished, Jade is still unable to use the bedroom and shower room.

Her mother Wendy, 38, said: "It started in March last year and right from day one it has been a nightmare.

"We have been here for 19 years and, until this building work started, everything was fine.

"It should have been finished within six months but although the room is now built, we still can't use it. It is full of damp and the floor is cracking up.

"The shower is not usable and the toilet is a nightmare. Water seeps through into the lobby.

"Three weeks ago a man came to lay a floor but he couldn't because of the damp. We've heard nothing since.

"My daughter is still having to sleep with us and her brother in the dining room."

A council spokeswoman apologised and said procedures had now been changed to minimise disruption during similar projects in the future.

She said: "We apologise for the length of time it took to complete the extension and adaptations to Mrs Lawson's home.

"It was initially agreed to build an extension because of overcrowding and to include a level access shower room, on the recommendation of the council's occupational therapy service, due to the health problems faced by Mrs Lawson's daughter.

"Unfortunately, the work took longer than planned, several unforeseen difficulties arose, and additional work has led to several delays. Almost all of the work has now been done.

"We have since changed our procedures to minimise the chance of delay when two separate teams are involved in construction projects of this nature in the future."