A SINGLE-mother has spoken out about her "living hell" in a council estate she says is overrun by drug dealers and prostitutes.

She feels her estate has been deliberately "ghettoised" by the council over the last 18 months.

Eileen Timoroksa, 49, of Graham Street, in Deepdale, Preston has lived in her house for 15 years, with her 32-year-old disabled son, Paul, who she cares for full-time.

"I am a prisoner in my own home, I'm scared to go out at night, people who are not wanted on other estates are deliberately being put on our estate", said the former nursing assistant.

"It's like living in my own personal hell, the estate has been ghettoised and is overrun by drug dealers and prostitutes.

"On top of that my house does not have proper disabled facilities for my disabled son," she added.

Mrs Timoroksa wants to see change on her estate and better facilities for her son, if a transfer of council homes to a housing association is agreed to by tenants in a vote later this year.

She added: "I feel that I have no choice but to vote for the housing transfer because there is nothing better on offer, but it might change my estate."

Council chiefs dismissed Mrs Timoroksa's claims and said council houses are allocated on a points system which is based on an individual's housing need.

Coun Carl Crompton, executive member for housing and direct services, said: "When a home becomes available, the next tenant on the list waiting for that type of property, and with the most points, will be offered the property."

He said that some work had been carried out to Mrs Timoroksa's property to help her son and tenants will be consulted about future housing policy, when transfer proposals are firmed up.

Sgt Jill Halliwell, of Preston police confirmed that they were aware of drug dealers and prostitution in the Deepdale area, and took action whenever possible.