A DISABLED man took to the streets with a placard yesterday to protest about his two-year struggle to get compensation for a ruined carpet.

Kevin Alan, who lives in a house owned by the North British Housing Association (NBHA), in Norton Grange, Stockton, found a leak in the upstairs bathroom of his four-bedroom home.

He contacted the association, which said it was the responsibility of Persimmon Homes, the company which built the houses.

Mr Alan, a father-of-four, said: "For six weeks I was passed from pillar to post, as the two places tried to decide who was responsible for the repair.

"As they tried to decide the leak was getting worse, ruining the carpet and leaving a musty smell. It was horrible.

"It had dribbled halfway down the stairs and we had to pull up the carpet and rip it out."

Mr Alan, who is unable to work because of his disability, had saved £1,000 for the carpet and wants compensation for it.

He said: "If they had not squabbled in the first place none of this would have happened. All we wanted was for someone to take responsibility and carry out the repairs.

"Persimmon did eventually come out to fix the leak, but that was not enough to save the carpet."

In a bid to highlight his fight, Mr Alan took his protest to the NBHA, in Valley Street, Darlington.

He said: "It was embarrassing having to do that. I am not a very out-going person, and it was sad it had to come to that.

"I hope something can now be done and a solution reached."

No one from the association or Persimmon was available for comment last night.