TWO schoolboys are being forced to sleep in the living room of their home after their mother was told it could be five weeks before a wasps' nest could be removed from outside their bedroom window.

Tracy Barnes, of Allerton Close, Darwen, spotted the nest last week after seeing wasps flying round the house.

Since then her 13-year-old son Keiron has been sleeping on the living room floor and her ten-year-old son Jordan has been on the sofa because they are frightened of being stung in their sleep.

The mum-of-three contacted Twin Valley Homes, which owns the house, to find out what to do about it and was put in touch with the environmental health department of Blackburn with Darwen Council.

But Tracy, who is on benefits, said she was unimpressed by the response and could not believe that a wasps' nest was not serious enough to be dealt with more quickly.

She said: "I was told by the environmental health that there was a five week waiting list for someone to come out and deal with it and that it was my responsibility to protect my children until then.

"I was a bit shocked really. I have got children and they are petrified. About three or four wasps are coming in at a time. I've seen them in the bathroom, kitchen and bedrooms.

"The worst thing is that my son recently had an accident where he suffered a gash in his leg which needed stitches. He's now having to sleep on the settee with his leg bandaged and should be in his bed where it's comfier for him.

"Environmental health told me not to tackle the nest myself, which I don't intend to, but we can't live like this for five weeks.

"They said if we didn't provoke them we'd be fine. The windows are closed but they are still getting in the house somehow. What are we supposed to do?"

Sally MacAlister, neighbourhood services manager for the council, said: "Ms Barnes contacted the council earlier this week regarding a wasps' nest at her home.

"Wasps' nests do not fall into the public health pest category and, other than in exceptional circumstances are not treated as an emergency.

"This was explained to Ms. Barnes and she was placed on the waiting list."