A TEENAGER from St George's says she feels like "breaking down and crying" as she faces life on the streets.

Sarah Raby, 19, of St George's Road, is angry that Redditch Council is not doing more to prevent her becoming homeless.

"Nobody gives me any help," said Miss Raby, who went to the council for help in July after fearing she would lose her home.

"I just don't know if I'm a priority or not. One minute they're telling me I am because I may become homeless and because of my health problems, the next they say I'm not."

Her health problems include depression, anxiety, asthma and problems with her back and knees.

While visiting the council's One Stop Shop at the town hall, she said she has had to wait long periods of time and was dealt with by a trainee.

The staff there also photocopied the wrong side of a bank statement Miss Raby was asked to provide and had to ask for it again, slowing down the process further.

"I feel like breaking down and crying. I've had enough and reached the stage where I just feel like leaving the country," she added.

"Because of the council's incompetence I'm being made to wait longer and longer and if I'm thrown out of my place now I don't know if I'll find anywhere else."

A council spokesman said: "It's not clear cut whether Miss Raby would be deemed a priority under homelessness legislation.

"A decision regarding priority could only be taken following receipt of further information including documentation from her medical practitioners.

"The council has satisfied its interim duty by offering Miss Raby temporary accommodation while investigations were carried out regarding priority."

The spokesman added that all customer service advisers at the council follow an extensive training programme before they are allowed to assist the public in the One Stop Shop and the council apologised to Miss Raby for the mix-up in photocopying the statement.