A south-east London couple looking for council housing say they have been told the only homes available to them are in Liverpool.

They have said that they would “rather die than go to Liverpool”, according to one of their mums.

Lee Ainsworth and Lauren Halpin have been together for two and a half years but could no longer afford to keep up with the rent of their property.

Jill Ainsworth, Lee’s mother, said it was because they were saddled with an expensive home in Bexley after an ex-partner left Ms Halpin.

Now Ms Ainsworth says that Bexley Council have said she has made herself “intentionally homeless” and they are providing them information on homes to live in Liverpool.

She said: “My son was born in the borough of Greenwich and lived here all his life. He could be shopped off to Liverpool.

“The only place in the whole country is Liverpool? She has said she would rather die than go to Liverpool.”

Lauren said that she was from Liverpool originally but hasn’t lived there for many years and her parents now live in Spain.

Lauren said: “My children are in a school here. He [Lee Ainsworth] has never even left the country.”

Lauren and Lee are currently living in a care home in Erith as they wait for their council home.

A spokesperson from Bexley Council said: “Miss Halpin has not been offered accommodation in Liverpool.

“Miss Halpin submitted a housing application but was found to have made herself intentionally homeless which brought an end to the Councils duty to accommodate.

“We have since agreed to extend their temporary accommodation while we help them to trying to find alternative private rented accommodation.

“Following Miss Halpin’s suggestion to us that she was considering a move to Liverpool we have provided her with information on accommodation in London and in Liverpool.”