A MOTHER in Dursley is frustrated at the lack of available three-bedroom properties in the area, and is faced with the prospect of moving out of the area.

Geraldine Dunlop, 43, lives with her husband Andy and two children, aged 15 and 10, in a two-bedroom house in an area that she loves in Dursley.

"My 15-year-old daughter came to live with us in August and has been sharing a bedroom with her 10-year-old brother which is unacceptable. " she said.

Her Housing Association Stonewater advised that they no longer carry out home swaps and pointed Geraldine in the direction of Gloucestershire Homeseeker, which gives applicants the control to bid on a social housing property they would like to live in.

"Stroud District Council said that I haven't bid on anything, but I have been looking every week and no properties are coming on. There is nothing to bid on," she explained.

"I am at the end of my tether."

With children having to share a room, stress levels in the house are running high, Geraldine explained. "I suffer from depression and anxiety and this is not doing my stress levels any good."

The family are keen to stay in the area, as the children attend local schools.

"I know of two empty three bedroom properties that are not appearing on the site. We are not able to afford rented because the prices are too high."

A spokesman for the Stroud District Council Housing Advice Team said: "When a property is empty it takes time to check it and make sure that it is cleared and to make any changes that might be needed. It can take months."

The spokesman advised that Geraldine open up her search area if she is desperate. "She needs to widen the search area and then she might be rehomed faster."