A single mum who lives in council housing in New Malden says her children have been left distraught after Kingston Council said they couldn't keep their trampoline and paddling pool.

Shannon Barbier, 24, lives in long term temporary council housing with her four young children, Kyrell, 5, Logan, 3, Layton, 2, and Lincoln, who is 1.

She lives in a flat with a communal garden, where she installed an £89 trampoline and a £20 paddling pool for children in the estate to use.

Miss Barbier claims she was forced to sell off her trampoline two days ago after the council asked for its removal, citing health and safety concerns.

She said: “Someone came round to do checks and saw the trampoline in the communal garden and said it wasn’t insured and was blocking the fire escape. As you can see in the picture, it isn’t in the way.

“My children are really upset and keep asking ‘can I go downstairs and play’ and I have to tell them the trampoline is gone.

“I spoke to all my neighbours who have children and there’s nothing our kids can do. They are trapped indoors. They are scared more toys could get taken away.”

Miss Barbier, who is unemployed, said she couldn’t afford to take her four children out for activities during the holidays.

She said: “It’s really hard to find something to do for children during the summer. It’s impossible for me take all four children all the way to the park on my own.

“Taking them out on private activities is expensive, and I can keep an eye on them when they are on the garden.”

A Kingston council spokesperson said: "The trampoline was left in the communal gardens, which are open access.

"Tenants within temporary accommodation sign a clause within their tenancy agreement agreeing not to leave anything in the communal areas."