THE family at the centre of the row over a flea-infested council-owned house has moved back into the three-bedroom home in St Albans. Mark Burgess and his partner Laura Murray, who have four children between them, were initially delighted to be given the

THE family at the centre of the row over a flea-infested council-owned house has moved back into the three-bedroom home in St Albans.

Mark Burgess and his partner Laura Murray, who have four children between them, were initially delighted to be given the keys to the council house in Radlett Road, Park Street.

But when they moved in on December 12, the children were covered with flea bites and St Albans District Council (SADC) moved them into temporary accommodation.

The family moved back into the house about a week ago and, despite some signs of fleas still present, have decided to stay put.

Laura said: "We have seen the odd flea still around and Mark was bitten by one but it seems a bit better. Luckily, the children have settled down after being scared to come back here."

They were told on several occasions during the last two months that the Radlett Road house was flea-free and if they did not move back in, they would lose it.

But county council maintenance worker Mark, 25, said: "The flea infestation was so serious that we couldn't risk taking our children back in."

Despite repeated fumigations, eggs that had lain dormant continued to hatch.

Karen Dragovic, head of housing at the district council, said: "We are working hard to ensure that the property at Radlett Road is free of fleas. The property was last fully treated on February 11 when it was empty."

A further supplementary treatment has also now been arranged to alleviate the tenants' concerns.