BIRKENHEAD MP Frank Field is calling for urgent action after concerns were raised about the poor state of homes in his constituency.

He has been contacted by tenants from Beechwood and Ballantyne estates in Bidston who said they had spent Christmas Day in the cold because storage heaters were left unrepaired and homes were blighted by mould and damp.

One family even reported water dripping through their ceiling, mould on their children's clothes and an aggravation of their asthma.

Mr Field says that on each occasion, Liverpool Housing Trust, which took over the estate tlast year, has been "unwilling" to act upon their requests.

Even though workmen assigned to assess the condition of each property agreed on the need for essential repair work, it seems their reports have not been acted on by the trust.

The trust said this afternoon that it was investigating the complaints raised as a matter of urgency.

Mr Field said: "Nothing can justify the poor service local residents are receiving from Liverpool Housing Trust.

"Why should they have to put up for months on end with water pouring through their ceiling or mould on their children’s clothes?

"I very much hope this matter will make it onto the agenda for the Trust's next board meeting, so finally we can secure some much needed help."

The transfer of assets from Beechwood & Ballantyne Community Housing Association to Liverpool Housing Trust was unanimously approved during a three-hour meeting of Wirral's full council in July.

Opponents claimed they are being railroaded into accepting the scheme and warned they won't give up without a fight.

Sue Westwater, managing director of Liverpool Housing Trust, said: "I'm very sorry to hear that some customers are unhappy with our service.

"The wellbeing of our tenants is a key priority, as is our ongoing investment in Wirral.

"We are investigating these complaints as a matter of urgency and we will keep customers and Mr Field fully informed."