Social services chiefs have refused to pay for a specially-adapted bed to ease the pain for a boy with cerebral palsy.

Crawley Borough Council has spent thousands of pounds on a prefabricated padded bedroom, which was delivered by crane for seven-year-old Jacob Miller.

However, his mother Clare Miller, 26, is upset West Sussex social services has failed to provide the bed, which was promised.

Ms Miller, of Deerwood Road, West Green, said: "It is such a shame. This new bedroom is a marvellous thing and it has allowed a conversion of a downstairs bedroom to a bathroom, which Jacob can use with ease.

"All we needed was a bed with padded sides but I have been told the panel which decides on the funding for this have turned me down.

"My social worker told me there would be no problem getting the funding from the panel but they have not come up with the money.

"I simply cannot afford to get him a special bed so at the moment I am having to carry him up and downstairs in case he falls and hurts himself."

Jacob was born 17 weeks premature weighing 1lb 7oz. His cerebral palsy affects his mobility and he also has learning disabilities and behavioural problems.

Ms Miller said: "Jacob does like his independence and loves the new room but I can't let him tackle the stairs on his own.

"He is a gorgeous and delightful little boy. I wouldn't change him for the world but I do need help to manage."

Ms Miller brings up her three children, Jacob, two-year-old Elizabeth and baby Alex, alone in her council home, and is on benefits.

The special bedroom, known as a POD, was built in Yorkshire before being driven to Crawley and attached to the back of the house earlier this week. It came already padded and decorated to Jacob's specifications and has been fully wired for electricity.

Councillor Doug Mayne, the borough's executive member for housing, said: "Using the POD system means we have been able to give Jacob a high-quality room to suit his particular needs with far less disruption to his home and family."

A spokesman for West Sussex social services said the department was looking into the matter.