A member of the Salvation Army is demanding compensation after his uniforms were ruined by damp from his council flat.

Peter Wallice is furious after conditions at his home in Storrington Close, Hove, grew so bad the walls turned black, the doors started rotting and his clothes developed mould.

Mr Wallice, 46, and his wife, Rose Marie, 57, claim the flat was in good condition when they moved there in April.

Mrs Wallice said: "Rain is coming into the house through the wall and, with so much heavy rain, the door is really rotten. The clothes have gone mouldy in the wardrobe.

"I'm disabled and the damp isn't helping my asthma either."

Mr Wallice said: "The council is saying it's condensation but that's a complete load of rubbish."

The Wallices were rehoused in April after complaining of bad damp in their former home at Lavender Street.

This time they do not want to be rehoused but are instead demanding compensation for their ruined clothes.

A surveyor recently visited the property, accompanied by a ward councillor and the Wallices' social worker.

A council spokesman said: "They all agreed the mould growth in the flat is as a result of condensation caused by the tenant refusing to use the heating system or to open windows and ventilate the property.

"However, as a precautionary measure, we are employing a specialist damp remedial company to provide a full report on the property."