POTTERNE couple Susan Lee and Mark Sprules have been told that they could spend another year living in a house which has no adaptations for their disabled son.

Mrs Lee, 36, and Mr Sprules, 29, were transferred by Sarsen Housing Association to their current four-bedroom house in Ryeleaze, Potterne, in December 2000.

They previously lived in a smaller property in Devizes with their seven children.

Their seven-year-old son, Rossi, suffers from cerebral palsy.

Mrs Lee said when the family moved to Ryeleaze, Sarsen told them it was temporary accommodation.

Mrs Lee had asked for a transfer to an adapted property in Trowbridge, to be nearer to her family and friends.

Her request was accepted and she received confirmation in April 2001 that she would be offered a four-bedroom house on Sarsen's new development at Staverton Marina in Trowbridge.

They were told the property should be ready to move into by spring this year.

At the time, Sarsen said in a letter: 'This offer is being made to you well in advance of the property being available due to the nature of adaptations your family require.'

But a few weeks ago, Mrs Lee was told there was a problem with the development and it could be another 12 months before she and her family are moved to their new home.

Mrs Lee said: "Because there are no disabled adaptations for Rossi it is difficult for everyone. Me or Mark carry Rossi up the stairs when he wants to go to the toilet or when he goes to his bedroom. We both have permanent backache from carrying him."

Their current home is not suitable for adaptations.

Philip Mackie, a spokesman for the Devizes-based housing association, said there had been an unavoidable delay in building houses on the Staverton Marina land.

"On the day we were due to exchange contracts with Beazer Homes they were bought by Persimmon," he said.

Sarsen has now reached agreement with Persimmon but work will not start on the homes until August this year.

"We are sympathetic to the family's needs and we have been as helpful as we can to help Mrs Lee get the move she wants to Trowbridge," he said.

"We have asked West Wiltshire District Council if there are any other suitable four-bed properties available in Trowbridge but so far there are none."

Mrs Lee is now considering obtaining legal advice.