A MUM who suffered a collapsed lung today described how the smell of raw sewage regularly seeped into her home.

Bosses at the Burnley and Padiham Housing Association said the problem was caused by rain water running under the floorboards mixing with waste water from a neighbour because of a poorly connected pipe.

They said raw sewage was never under the house but the smell stemmed from stagnant water.

But Sharon Veldom, 40, of Moorland Road, Burnley, said the stink was a health hazard for the family, including children Jamie Lee, 10, and Nikita, eight.

Mrs Veldom suffered a collapsed lung in December last year.

She said: "When I get the smell I find it very difficult to breathe. I have just had enough now. I cannot stand it. The smell goes right up into my bedroom.

"I came out of hospital and the house was stinking and I asked them to come up and have a look under the house which was raw sewage.

"They have been out many times but it hasn't done any good. They have dug my back garden up so it is like a swimming pool but it hasn't helped."

Environmental health officers from Burnley Council are now investigating the cause of the stink after Burnley and Padiham Community Housing, who own the property, spent more than £4,500 looking into the problem.

A spokesman for the housing association said sludge was removed from under the floor which should end the smell.

A spokesman said: "The stench was caused by rain water running under the floorboards of the house and waste water from a neighbouring property discharging under the floor of the property due to a poorly connected pipe.

"We have worked hard in trying to resolve the problem at this property. It was first reported to us in July 2001.

"Mrs Veldom has been fully informed throughout these works and is aware that work is completed subject to undergoing a final inspection from Environmental Health next Wednesday.

He added: "At no time was there raw sewage under the floor, the smell is a result of waste water becoming stagnant."

Karen Davies, commercial and support manager at the Environmental Health Department at Burnley Council said: "We are aware of the problem with the drainage system and there is an on-going investigation working with the housing company to identify the cause."