By Michele Canning

A HEAVILY pregnant Strabane mum is having to wake up every morning to a 'dump' in her back garden.

26 year old Natasha Friel, a mum of two with another baby due before the end of the month, has criticised the Housing Executive for its inaction.

Natasha signed the tenancy for the house in November and said she was assured that the back garden would be cleared.

Almost three months on, the garden continues to resemble a 'dump', says the local householder.

"It's awful, there's a mattress and sofas and rubbish just lying there. In the attic there's also items belonging to the previous tenant which has yet to be removed.

"I have two small children aged two and a half and one and I cannot let them outside at all because it's a health risk.

"It's like having a dump in your back garden, it's an absolute nightmare."

The Strabane woman said both she and her next door neighbour have been in touch with Housing Executive.

"They told me when I signed for the house that they would remove the rubbish but they keep putting it back and back. It's a different excuse when you contact them.

"My baby is due before the end of the month, I just wanted it all to be perfect, a new house to move into but I have had to deal with this.

"I just want it all sorted out before the baby arrives. I am not happy with the way the Housing Executive has handled this situation."

In a statement to the Strabane Chronicle, a spokesperson for the Housing Executive said, "We apologise to the tenant for the delay in getting this work carried out.

"Clearly this should not have happened and we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.

"We are carrying out an investigation to try and establish why this work was not carried out properly. We accept that this is below our recognised standard of service.

"The contractor will be clearing the roof space today and the garden will be tidied very shortly," added the spokesperson.