A FAMILY has spoken of the "traumatic experience" they are going through after being forced out of their home due to damage caused by Storm Bronagh.

Jamie Edwards and his family are currently staying in separate rooms at a hotel in Bournemouth town centre.

They have been told they may not be able to return to their ground floor flat in Ensbury Court for weeks after a large tree came crashing down onto the property on Thursday night.

After spending two nights at friends' houses, the scaffolder, his partner and three sons, aged nine, seven and four, were provided with accommodation in the hotel from Saturday.

Mr Edwards said Sovereign Housing told him to sit tight until today for an update on the situation.

He was also told his family will have to be split up in the hotel across separate floors.

"It is terrible that we are not allowed to be together in one place at this horrible time," Mr Edwards said.

"I'm disappointed and very emotional about it. It is gutting for my family, especially the kids.

"This is only the start and I'm not really sure where we are going to go from here."

Mr Edwards said he has been forced to take time off work unpaid to ensure his sons can get to school.

He is concerned that is family will not be able to cope if the current arrangements remain in place for several weeks.

"I spoke to Bournemouth Council's housing department, but they said there is nothing they can do," Mr Edwards said.

"It feels like they don't understand the severity of the situation.

"My boys have been living in a box room on a triple bunk bed for years and then we are not allowed to stay in one hotel room.

"The tree falling was a natural occurrence, but this is an emergency situation.

"We have been left homeless and without a real solution to the problem.

"This is a traumatic experience for my family and it is not good for the kids' wellbeing to go through this upheaval."

Sovereign housing changed the locks on the effected properties in Ensbury Court and residents are unable to visit their homes without a supervisor being present.

Mr Edwards' flat was not directly damaged by the tree fall, but as the roof on the flat above was torn open a structural assessment is required before work can begin.

On Friday, Helen Hann, divisional director for Sovereign Housing, said they will do everything possible to get residents back in their homes as soon as possible.