THE frustration of living in "cramped" council housing and spending years on housing waiting lists has forced a Farnham mother-of-two to speak out.

Suzanne Berry lives in a two-bedroom council flat at Middlefield with her partner Paul Cantillon and their two children, Natalie, 9, and Paul, 7.

The family first applied for permanent council housing eight years ago when they were living in temporary accomodation and Suzanne was expecting her second child, Paul.

Two years later they moved into the Middlefield flat and claim they immediately applied for a three-bedroom home so that their children would be able to have bedrooms of their own. They are still waiting.

Suzanne told The Herald: "My partner works very hard but we just cannot afford to buy a house in this area. The children's bedroom is very small and they are getting to an age when they should have their own space. I am fed up with being overlooked by the council."

Suzanne went on to claim that through the council's mutual transfer list, which gives tenants the option of swapping their accommodation, she has been aware of several properties in the Farnham area that would have been suitable for her family.

"We're always told that we don't have enough points to move into these homes and we're forced to sit by and watch as other people jump the queue," said a desperate Suzanne. "It is incredibly frustrating for us."

Under Waverley Borough Council's waiting list system each application for housing is assessed under a point system. Applicants with the most points are pushed to the top of the queue.

A council spokesman explained that points are allocated for factors including overcrowding, medical factors, time spent on the register, sharing facilities, disrepair and the applicants having "connections with the local area".

With the family scoring points in so many categories, Suzanne said she is confused why they have had to wait so long.

The couple are both actively involved in the community. Paul, who works in Farnham, is a leader of the 11th Farnham Scouts and Suzanne is a leader of the Beaver colony.

Suzanne added: "My daughter has severe asthma and I have suffered from serious depression. My doctor has written two letters to the council this year.

"I have spoken to Victor Scrivens (Waverley borough and town councillor) and he has been very helpful. I just hope something will be done soon."

The council spokesman told The Herald that the council could not make a comment about individual cases. She added that it is impossible to advise customers on how long they may have to wait for a property.

"As demand outstrips supply there will always be a possibility that some people may never be offered a property if under the allocation system they are not considered to be in as great a housing need as others on the list."