A YOUNG family have described their shock at being told they could have died because of a faulty boiler in their home.

Lucie Johnson and Jamie Cook, of Cannington, said they had been vomiting and suffering from terrible headaches for three days before they were told their symptoms might be linked to their boiler, which had not been working properly.

The couple, whose baby son Jake was also showing signs of illness, called for a repairman and were shocked when he claimed they might be showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can sometimes be fatal.

Lucie said: "We just could not believe what we were hearing when he told us.

"He said there was so much carbon monoxide coming from the boiler that it made his eyes water." Lucie also claimed the family took blood tests confirming the presence of carbon monoxide.

The couple are tenants of Shal housing association, who dispute their claims. Shal says its own repairman concluded the boiler was not dangerous.

The family are currently living with Lucie's mother in Bower Manor and say they are too traumatised to return to the house.

A spokesman for Wales and West Utilities, whose repairman visited the couple's Cannington home, said: "We received reports of a gas odour at Clifford Park during the early hours of June 23 and immediately despatched an engineer to investigate.

"There is no gas at the property however the family appeared to be suffering from symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning and the oil boiler was showing signs of malfunctioning.

"As a precautionary measure, our engineer disconnected the boiler. If people smell gas they should call the national gas emergency number on 0800-111999."

John Thomson, Shal chief executive, said the housing association's oil expert had gone to the house the morning after Wales and West's visit to check on the appliance.

Mr Thomson said: "He produced a report which stated the boiler was not dangerous."