A teenage mother says she is too scared to go back to her flat after squatters moved in and wrecked the place.

Sam Martin, 17, who gave birth to her son Kane only ten days ago, said her one-bedroom council bedsit was taken over by squatters while she was on holiday.

When she returned to her home in York Avenue, Hove, she discovered needles, rags, clothes and rubbish on the floor.

There was also a red substance splattered on the walls and mattress, which she fears could be blood.

She said: "I got given the bedsit about four weeks ago and because I was going on holiday I decided to move in when I got back.

"When I returned two weeks later, I went to move my stuff in and discovered what had happened. There were no people but someone was obviously squatting there.

"I spoke to the people who live upstairs and they said they had seen the squatters and they had been causing problems.

"They had got in through the back door. I still do not know if they have gone."

Sam contacted Brighton and Hove City council immediately after discovering what had happened.

She was told although the council would help change the locks and clean the flat, it was her responsibility to ensure the squatters were gone and to pay for any damage.

Sam, who is currently sleeping on the floor at her sister's, said she cannot afford the cost and is terrified at the thought of living there.

She said: "I am scared. How can anyone expect me to stay in there with a baby?

"What if the squatters come back? I think it is disgusting.

"It was not my fault they got in. I don't know what to do and who to go to for help.

"All I want is to be moved to another bedsit that is cleaner and where I will feel safe. I do not think I should have to put up with this."

A council spokesman said: "We are very sympathetic to Miss Martin's situation.

"But once a tenancy agreement has been signed the tenant is responsible for looking after the property. We would have no legal basis for removing the people occupying it.

"If Ms Martin has concerns about security at her property as a result of this incident, we will be happy to change the locks and talk to her about whether other measures may be helpful to her."