A GREENOCK couple whose premature twins were left fighting for their lives face a race against time to find a suitable home to bring them home from hospital.

Kirsty Byrne gave birth to twins Freya and Logan at just 28 weeks.

The 33-year-old and her partner Allan Hyslop, 29, have watched helplessly as tiny Logan and Freya battled life-threatening complications.

To add to their horrendous ordeal, the couple say they don't have a suitable home for their poorly babies.

Kirsty claims the one bedroom first floor flat that she rents from River Clyde Homes in Sir Michael Street is riddled with damp and is without proper heating.

The housing association did offer the family a larger property in Mallard Crescent but Kirsty says it was unsuitable due to the lack of space, lack of parking, had no bath and was in general poor condition.

The couple have lodged written representations from a consultant paediatrician and Councillor Colin Jackson - but Kirsty says they are still waiting for help.

She said: "I feel completely depressed due to the situation.

"I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot take my babies to that tiny mouldy flat.

"I broke down in tears after seeing where they wanted to put us in Mallard Crescent.

"I now only have one week to find somewhere suitable or Freya and Logan will have to remain in the hospital.

Her partner Allan, who does not stay in the Sir Michael Street property, added: "We are effectively homeless as we can't bring our kids back to this flat.

"I don't want their apologies, I'm not interested in that. I just want River Clyde Homes to do their jobs.

"They have a duty of care."

Kirsty said she made River Clyde Homes aware of her situation when she was 22-weeks pregnant, but she suddenly went into labour on August 2.

Logan, who was born weighing 2lbs and three ounces, has suffered a bleed on the brain and has battled other complications including meningitis, e coli, sepsis and chronic lung disease.

Doctors have told Kirsty and Allan that he is likely to develop cerebral palsy so will need a specially adapted property.

Tiny Freya was even more poorly at birth, weighing just 2lbs. She had to undergo emergency surgery on her bowel as her intestines had twisted in the womb.

Freya is still fighting for her life in hospital as her lungs keep collapsing and she also developed sepsis and e coli.

She said: "Logan should be ready to come home in the next few weeks.

"But unless we get a suitable house, he will be stuck in hospital using a bed that could be used to care for another sick baby."

Her consultant paediatrician has written to RCH bosses in support of this family's application for rehousing.

They said: "The family's living conditions are entirely unsuitable for for pre-term twins to be discharged to.

"It is completely inappropriate.

"In anticipation of the discharge of two very vulnerable babies, I ask that the accommodation be looked at urgently. Their current accommodation is on the first floor and there is no parking outside.

"There is also dampness and mould and I anticipate that one or both of these twins will be discharged needing home oxygen.

"There is also an anticipation that one of them may have additional mobility needs.

"They will be extremely vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, particularly over the winter months, and dampness and mould is completely unacceptable."

Councillor Colin Jackson has also taken up their fight.

He said: "Allan and Kirsty are loving and devoted parents trying to do the best for their babies, and yet despite the concerns raised by them and the hospital consultant their landlord River Clyde Homes are unable to secure suitable accommodation for them and their babies.

"There has been a serious lack of urgency or empathy to the seriousness of the situation from River Clyde Homes who have shown little or no sign of support. They have had plenty of time and now the clock is ticking."

Councillor Jackson added: "If as is said society is to be judged on how it treats its most vulnerable, then this family are being failed.

"It is evident that the current housing stock in Inverclyde is totally inadequate and housing association's are simply not responsive or adaptable to the different needs of their tenants"

But River Clyde Homes say they are doing everything they can to help.

Elaine Cannon, service improvement manager, said: “We are well aware of the situation the family is in.

“We operate a fair and transparent housing allocation process and since coming to our attention, we have changed the family’s priority status and encouraged them to widen their housing options.

“This resulted in the offer of a house in Mallard crescent which they refused.

“We are working hard with the family at what is obviously a difficult time to ensure that they bid on properties that meet their current and future needs.”