I WENT through a marriage break-up in 2003. I had to sell my marital home as I could not afford the mortgage and neither could my ex-husband pay my mortgage as well as rent of his own. I was unable to get a council property as I was said to have made mys

I WENT through a marriage break-up in 2003. I had to sell my marital home as I could not afford the mortgage and neither could my ex-husband pay my mortgage as well as rent of his own.

I was unable to get a council property as I was said to have made myself homeless. I think the regulations with regard to allocation of council and housing association properties is disgusting.

In order to be in with a chance of getting a council property I would have to subject myself and my two children to the trauma of staying in a bed and breakfast and hostels.

I could not do this to my children and, because I put my children's feelings and welfare into consideration, I rented a private house and then ended up being at the bottom of the housing list.

The property I am renting is not a home. I have spent every spare bit of money I have trying to make it a home for my family but I still do not have the security for my children as I could have my tenancy terminated whenever the landlord wants.

I am being penalised for being a single working mother who cares about her children. I have been on the housing register for a number of years now, and have never heard anything. I decided to ring and see what position I was in on the list only to find my application had been cancelled and I would have to re-submit my application.

I requested housing in a specific village, again in the interest of the children as they both attend the school in the village.

Their dad lives there, along with family and friends. I also work in the village. I expected a lengthy wait as I nominated only one village, but was willing to wait. It looks as though I shall have to wait even longer now.

My rent is now about to increase but I don't get any more help as I am told I should only be in a two-bedroom property as I have two boys (boys obviously don't need space). If I had an affordable property, I could pay my rent myself.

My ex-husband has his children on a regular basis. He has a one-bedroom flat as that is all he can afford.

The children have bunk beds in his bedroom: this is not an ideal situation but he gets no help, so what else can he do?

I think that, if council properties had not been sold, we would have a lot more affordable housing.

It seems to me that, if you're honest and hard-working and care for your children, you get nothing. But, if you're lazy and don't work and don't care about your children's feelings, you get exactly what you set out to get. I know not everyone is like this, but I would say a good majority are thinking of themselves.

C BELLCHAMBERS, Little Paxton