They fear it could affect the youngsters' health and say problems began when council workers raised the level of the pavement about eight years ago on Ash Street, Cotmanhay.

They say it is above the level of damp-proofing and should be corrected by Derbyshire County Council, which has dug a six-inch deep trench at their request in front of the Victorian terraced house.

Katherine Barker, 37, said: "I have a two-week-old baby Evie and I am worried about her growing up here.

"Our other daughter Chloe is four and has had a chest infection since she started school. Doctors can't say whether it's because of damp in the house or the weather so we will have to see what she's like in the summer."

When the problem first arose, her 46-year-old husband Michael fitted a double glazed door which stopped the damp entering the home.

But they found more problems when they recently decided to sell and move to a larger house. They found wet when removing an old fitted cupboard in the front room close to the pavement. They lodged a fresh protest with the council. Workmen then dug the trench.

Council experts have checked the problem several times and the couple were visited by Cllr Brian Lucas, who is county cabinet member for environmental services.

He said: "I have spoken to Mrs Barker about this matter and have advised her to go through our complaints procedure."

The council declined to comment about the work.

But in a letter to the couple, they say they will now fill in the trench and add: "The work undertaken was carried out in good faith and did not constitute any admission of liability."

Mr Barker, a security officer, said: "The trench is not deep enough.
"It needs to go down to the footings and I am ready to seal it to keep the damp out.

"But you need public liability insurance to dig into the pavement and I can't get that.

"We feel the council caused this problem and they should sort it."
Their damp proof course has a 30-year guarantee and the couple spent £100 on an independent report to get to the bottom of the problem.

Lowdham-based Hamilton Associates said: "The fact that the chemical damp-proof course is not 115-millimetre above the external path levels means splash back of water above the damp proof course level may be occurring.

"The deterioration of plaster and decoration and the high readings indicative of dampness using an electrical moisture meter I believe to be a fact that the chemical damp proof course has been compromised."

The family claim damp spots have gone from the front room since the trench was dug - and say this proves the problem was caused by the raised level of the pavement.