A WOMAN claims she is "trapped" in her mould-plagued flat - leaving her too embarrassed to invite family and friends over.

       Courtney Simcox says her social house in Tipton, West Midlands, is covered in black fungus which has spread around her walls, floor and ceiling.

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       The house is covered in black fungs Credit: BPM 4

       Mould can be seen climbing the walls Credit: BPM 4

       Courtney Simcox says she is too embarrassed to invite her friends around Credit: BPM

       Miss Simcox, a full time carer for her dad who lives in West Bromwich, says she has been forced to "live in her living room" as a result.

       The 20-year-old said: "There is loads and loads of mould. It is like big, black mould.

       "It is in my bedroom, all over my bedroom walls and the window sill, all over the windows, the ceiling and the floor.

       "It got into my chest of drawers so I had to throw them away. It is in my kitchen, above my window.

       "I suffer with severe depression. I cannot have my friends and my family around because I am embarrassed - I am currently living in my living room.

       Miss Simcox says the mould is making her life a misery, adding: "It is embarrassing and it is making my depression worse."

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       She claims she was told the mould was caused by her not opening her windows in the flat - which is provided by Trident Group - and where she has lived since June.

       But Miss Simcox says she is reluctant to do that because there are "bins outside the window which do not smell too good".

       The mould first appeared in July which she was able to clean up using some Mould and Mildew spray.

       However, it reappeared in October and Miss Simcox says it has become "really bad".

       Miss Simcox - who is on benefits, claiming carer's allowance and universal credit - now says she feels unable to escape her situation due to her finances.

       "It is making my life a misery, I am trapped," she said.

       "Because I am on benefits, and I don't get a lot, it isn't like I can find myself somewhere new.

       "I just want to move. But I don't want this to happen to anyone else because it isn't right. It is like they don't want to help."

       In response to the story, a spokesperson for Trident Group said: "We take the health and wellbeing of all our residents seriously and all our properties, prior to being let, are inspected by the organisation and a third party.

       "We will investigate all concerns raised and work with residents to resolving any issues arising as soon as possible."

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       Miss Simcox says she has been told the mould is there because she does not open her windows Credit: BPM

       My home is so damp I fear for my unborn child and can't buy anything as it gets wrecked by mould