A MAN with serious health problems says his home has turned into a 'living nightmare' thanks to squatters, fire-starters, repeated break-ins and poor living conditions.

David Morrison, 45, says only three flats are occupied in the block he stays in on Robert Street, in the Clune Park area, and that it has become a magnet for trouble.

People have been squatting in empty flats within the building and repeatedly setting fires.

Mr Morrison was seriously ill and hospitalised last year because of a lung problem and he claims it has been exacerbated by smoke damage and toxic fumes in the close.

David said: "I nearly died in the hospital four times.

"I was in the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow for a month.

"I couldn't breathe and I collapsed.

"I've got asthma, bronchitis and kidney problems and this close was toxic with fumes."

David previously had a tenancy in the Port's Kelburn Terrace but he lost it when he moved out to look after his brother, who has since passed away.

He managed to secure his current rented flat three years ago and had been happy there until things went downhill last year.

Now he is desperate to get out.

He told the Tele: "There have been four fires in this close this year.

"There are people coming in and out of the close, starting fires in the empty flats and squatting.

"My own flat is smoke-damaged.

"I bought new carpets but I had to lift them because of the fires.

"People are breaking into the houses - my house has been broken into a few times."

David says he recently became so frightened about living in the close that he went to stay with his brother Sean in Greenock for a week.

When he returned people had been squatting in his house.

He says that his front door has been insecure and has also complained about a lack of heating in part of the property.

David says he has tried to contact his landlord over repairs without any success.

He said: "I need a front door that locks and heating in my living-room.

"I don't feel safe living here."

The Telegraph tried to contact Mr Morrison's landlord but we had received no response as we went to press.