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No room to play - homeless children

The run-down bed-and-breakfast hotel in a grim Glasgow backstreet near Govan has been the home of four-year-old Mark, his mother Pat and her partner Robert, for the past three weeks.

The run-down bed-and-breakfast hotel in a grim Glasgow backstreet near Govan has been the home of four-year-old Mark, his mother Pat and her partner Robert, for the past three weeks.

The family turned up at Glasgow City Council's housing department, declaring themselves homeless, after having to leave their flat when drunken neighbours began smashing it up
and threatening them, Robert says.

Now the three share a cramped room, scarcely 10 feet square, crammed with two beds, a dressing table and a wardrobe, with a TV and kettle precariously balanced on top of a fridge and trailing wires everywhere.

Mark has a serious squint, and a poor diet has left him with bad teeth. He has no toys to play with, there was no time to collect such things when the family fled, so he spends most of the day in front of the TV.

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