A MUM-OF-FOUR risked arrest by locking herself in an unoccupied house in a bid to get better living conditions for her children.

Claire Chamley locked herself in an empty house in Guy Fawkes Street, Ordsall, after the council turned down her application to move there.

And Claire says it was desperation which forced her to take such drastic action, after living in her current home became unbearable.

Clare has been living in her current two bedroom house, in Gledhill Avenue, Ordsall, for 12 years.

She now shares the house with her husband Matthew, 34, and their four kids Dylan, 13, Phoebe, 10, Glynn, three, and fourteen-month-old Melody.

For the past two years she has been appealing to the council for a house with more room to accommodate her growing family, but has been continually turned down.

"My husband and I sleep on a double matress on the living room floor while Melody has a cot in the corner," says Claire.

"Dylan has a room to himself and Phoebe and Glynn have to share.

"It’s just not good enough, we can’t live like this any more, there’s not enough room to have six people in a two bedroom house."

But this week Claire reached breaking point after getting refused a move to the house and seized the opportunity to occupy the house when she spotted an open door.

Claire said: "I saw the open door and just went and locked myself in.

"It was through desperation, I didn’t really know what else to do.

"I didn’t plan it, I just spotted the open door and went for it. We’re a good family.

"I’ve never been in trouble with the police or the council, and we always pay our rent on time."

Claire informed the council that she was in the house, maintaining her protest for almost six hours.

But when police arrived and Claire was threatened with arrest and court she gave herself up voluntarily.

"They were going to arrest me and I just couldn’t do that to my kids, I didn’t want to put them through me going to court. I think I’ve made my point though, I just hope it makes a difference."

Councillor Peter Connor, lead member for housing, said: "I appreciate that Mr and Mrs Chamley and their young family have important needs, and we’re doing everything we can to find them a more suitable home.

"However, the same system that will help them is also helping other families, who, in this case, have a greater need for the property.

"In the meantime, we have discussed alternative options with the family and they have decided not to take these further."