An Erith mum and her son were left stranded in a Gravesend flat infested with cockroaches.

Rachael Kent, 43, formerly of Beacon Road was moved into Parrock Street after she was made homeless.

The full-time mum moved into the emergency accommodation with her five-year-old son Jayden last Monday (September 19).

Although she is grateful for the roof over her head she was appalled by the number of cockroaches residing in the flat.

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Ms Kent is most worried about mainting a stable routine for her son following the move

Exterminators were called in to fumigate the area but both she and her son suffer from asthma, something Ms Kent feels will be exacerbated by the fumes.

The flat is one of seven others.

Without the rest of the building being treated, the mum doesn’t believe the action taken by the council will work.

“It’s not good at all, she said, “I’m so anxious at the thought of going back there.

“All the traps were already filling up when I left.

“It’s not a safe environment for my son.

“The cockroaches were walking up the wardrobe.

“I found the first one where we were brushing our teeth.”

Another problem for the duo is Jayden’s schooling.

His mum wants normality for the Slade Green School pupil but cannot afford to travel each day from Gravesend with her son.

“Obviously it’s important he gets a real education with suitable facilities.

“I fell on hard times when my marriage broke down.

“I am grateful I have a roof over my head but the conditions are unacceptable.”

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The council claims it was unaware of the infestation

The pair are dealing with this hardship alongside the recent passing of both Jayden’s father in September and aunt in December last year.

His aunt died of sleep apnoea but his father’s death was left open by the coroner.

“Right now I am staying in Gravesend with the cockroaches, Ms Kent said, “If I do not stay there I don’t get the status of homelessness.

“I have never been in this situation before in my life.

“I do not want to be sleeping and eating with the cockroaches.”

In response to Ms Kent’s dilemma a council spokeswoman said: “When a household becomes homeless and requires the assistance of their local authority, a placement is dependent on availability.

“There is an extremely high demand for accommodation and it is not always possible to place families in the area they were made homeless from.

“We were not aware of a problem with cockroaches until it was raised with us.

“We contacted the provider on the same day we were notified and arrangements for appropriate treatment were made.

“Following the treatment, the advice given was that property should be aired 2-3 hours during drying time.

“There is no risk to health providing the advice given was followed.

“Ms Kent has raised other issues and an environmental health officer will be visiting the property to ensure that it is of a suitable standard.”