A Bradford disabled woman is battling to keep charge of her two young sons after moves by social services to take them into care.

The 33 year old woman says she intends to fight tooth and nail to keep her family together and was today facing a crunch meeting with social workers to decide their future.

Today, the single mum - who cannot be named for legal reasons - won the backing of disabled Penny Roberts, who waged a high-profile campaign to win the right to bring up her baby herself, despite her disabilities.

Mrs Roberts, whose baby son Peter is now five months old and doing well, said: "My message to this lady is 'Fight like hell and don't give up.' She's got a right to a life. I got what I wanted in the end, but I think it was by involving the media. I felt that social services should be answerable to the public and they certainly changed their tune."

The woman has two sons aged three and four: the elder boy is currently being looked after by foster parents and the three year old, who has behavioural problems, is still at home. She is registered disabled, as she is paralysed down one side of her body after being injured in a car crash when she was a toddler.

"I feel that social services don't know how to deal with people who have disabilities," she said. "I need more help and more input - I would like more practical help. I do not want my children thrust around from foster home to foster home. I want them to stay with me - I gave birth to them. They don't deserve this, to be taken away from their mother."

Penny Roberts, who became paralysed following an accident, successfully fought for 25 hours' a week extra help, and night care, to help her bring up her baby, in addition to her existing 24-hour care which enables her to live independently.

The Bradford family currently has just five hours a week support from Bradford Council, in the form of a home help.

"I have asked for some practical help, but got no response," the mother said. "If they are taken away from me I will be devastated. My younger son has behavioural problems and is hard work to look after, but I enjoy being kept on my toes."

Mike Stow, assistant director of social services, said: "A meeting is taking place with the family to decide how the children's future can be best secured.

"If the family is able to effectively care for the children, then the appropriate support will be provided. However, it's important that the children's long-term needs are addressed and this will be discussed."

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