A single mother living in homeless accommodation in Royston is celebrating after winning her appeal for a property closer to her home town rather than a village 22 miles away.

Lauren Hodgson said it was ‘a nice birthday present’ to be told on the day she turned 29 that North Herts District Council will bid for a home closer than the original offer of Codicote.

The self-employed hairdresser said: “I explained to the housing officer that I often work in the evenings in Cambourne and when I do, my mother looks after my child.”

Lauren would also have had to travel miles so that her daughter could attend regular hospital appointments in Cambridge.

She previously told the Crow the stress of the situation had an impact on her mental health and she struggled to sleep.

But it was a huge relief when she received the verdict.

“It said that the fact that my mum is a massive help with my child care will mean they will try to house me a little bit closer, no further away than Graveley. It was a nice birthday present. Not many people win these cases, but I kept fighting it,” she said.

For now Lauren will have to keep waiting for two-bedroom homes to become available, and will most likely be staying put in Ridgeways for ‘a few months yet’, but she has a more positive outlook.

Councillor Bernard Lovewell, responsible for housing at the district council, said: “All homeless applicants have the right to request a review of any offer of housing.

“The council reviews each case on its individual merit and in some instances new evidence can enable the council to establish a more detailed picture of an applicant’s housing needs.”