DESPAIR has turned to delight for a young working mum and her disabled daughter after a council that said it would not kit out a property for the toddler found them a new home.

The Herald reported last month how hairdresser Rosanna Giddings, who is at the front of the housing queue, was overlooked for a dwelling she and tot Grace, four, had set their hearts on.

But East Devon District Council (EDDC) has now offered them an adapted property in Sidmouth.

The council says the bungalow has all the features required to make life easier for Rosanna, 24, and Grace, who has cerebral palsy – such as widened doorways, bedrooms on the ground floor, and specially adapted kitchen worktops.

“When they called and told me, I was so happy,” said Rosanna, who will get to look around the property later this month when it becomes vacant.

She added: “I feel like lots of stress has gone. We can’t wait to move in.”

She thanked everyone who has offered her support.

Single mum Rosanna is top of a waiting list she has been on for four years and feels a council house is her only option as Grace grows bigger.

Renting privately is proving unsuitable and she cannot afford to buy.

EDDC’s policy was to find a suitable property that was already equipped – rather than spend up to £10,000 on conversion works.

A spokesman for the authority said it has long been waiting to offer Rosanna the bungalow, but has only just been able to do so.

Councillor Jill Elson, EDDC cabinet member for sustainable homes and communities, said: “Finding a suitable home for our clients is often a complex business – moving one person here and another family there so that everyone’s needs are met and the right property becomes vacant at the right time.

“That complexity is even greater when the home needs special features or equipment.

“We could not tell Ms Giddings about the bungalow earlier because we didn’t want to raise her hopes until we were sure it was a definite offer. We hope she will like the bungalow and that she will be able to move in before the summer”.