A terminally ill woman has had to borrow money to stay in a Travelodge hotel after an "outbreak of rats" at her home.

Christine Blackham, 59, has lived with her husband in Hanover Court in Anerley Road for 34 years.

She told News Shopper: "I am ill with cancer and last week I got up in the early hours of the morning.

"I was just about to go back to bed when a black rat ran past my leg. I went into complete panic mode. I was in absolute shock.

"I felt very, very scared. I have terminal cancer and I don't need this."

Christine has stayed at a Travelodge hotel in Penge since January 8.

She said Clarion Housing - the owner of the block - has installed poison and traps around the flats.

However, Christine, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2015, said she cannot live in such conditions because of her health.

Having already borrowed money for the hotel stay, Christine said she and her husband have "nowhere to go" once they check out of the hotel in a few days' time.

She said: "There are no cooking facilities here. We just have a bed. At the moment we feel homeless.

"I have lost my quality of life. I have no home."

She added that her doctor has been in contact with Clarion Housing outlining his concerns.

Christine's sister Terry Linzey commented: "My sister should not be having to deal with this issue when she is having to face so much more at this time."

A spokesperson for Clarion Housing told News Shopper: "Normally pest control inside individual properties is the tenants’ responsibility. However, upon it being reported to us that there were holes in the property potentially providing entry for the pests, we arranged an appointment for the holes to be blocked up.

"Also because we appreciate the tenants’ very difficult circumstances, we have also arranged for pest control to come out prior to this to investigate.

"In addition, we are working with the tenants to offer wider support - including a full survey of their home and guidance from our tenancy sustainment team - and will do all we can to help."