A PREGNANT mother could be evicted from her Winchester council flat after housing chiefs ruled that she intentionally made herself homeless.

Tara Colgrave is living in temporary accommodation in Sussex Street but could be left to find private housing despite expecting her second child.

Last month Winchester City Council ruled that it had no legal duty to house her because she left a council house in Andover.

Ms Colgrave moved in with her mother in Portal Road, Highcliffe, last year, because she couldn’t afford to commute to Royal Hampshire County Hospital for maternity check-ups.

She said: “It was in the middle of nowhere, no one that I knew lived out there. I only received £100 a week and I was making regular trips to Winchester hospital. I just couldn’t afford it.”

The 23-year-old, whose pregnancies have been treated as high-risk since she miscarried in 2011, said the stress puts her baby at risk.

“[The council is] saying if I was to go to Southampton, there’s a hospital there,” she said. “But my consultant has been there through all of my pregnancies. He knows exactly what’s needed.

“I can’t be stressed in case the same thing happens.”

Ms Colgrave, who was kicked out by mother after a domestic dispute, said her temporary flat was “disgusting”.

“I’m surrounded by druggies which is not acceptable for bringing a child up around,” she said. “I’ve complained to the council about that but they don’t give a damn.”

Tracey Hendren, head of housing options and support, said it was “difficult” for housing benefit claimants to find private rented accommodation but the council helped up to 50 people a year do so.

“What we want to do is work with the family and be reasonable about what housing options would be available,” she said.

Ms Colgrave can stay in Sussex Street until the council has reviewed her appeal. If it is rejected she will have 28 days to move out while Hampshire County Council helps to find her housing.