A CLIFTON woman is hoping to claim compensation after her sofa brought her out in blisters.

Wendy Sheldon is one of thousands across the country affected by a toxic anti-mould chemical.

Last week Argos and Walmsleys admitted selling the faulty furniture, paving the way for customers to claim compensation.

More than 4,500 people are expected to lodge claims against furniture stores and it is believed pay-outs could total more than £10m.

Ms Sheldon, 44, of Havenwood Rise, said: "Last January I bought myself a new sofa and soon afterwards I started getting really itchy.

"I never connected the two at first, I thought it must have been because I'd been outside gardening.

"Then I started thinking maybe it was my washing powder or my perfume.

"My skin was covered in a rash and little water blisters, like if you've been sunbathing and got burnt. It was horrible.

"I went to my GP and he said I must be allergic to something."

It was months later that a TV programme alerted her to the sofa problem

Made in China, the sofas contained sachets of an anti-mould chemical called dimethyl fumarate which leaked when people sat on them.

"Crystals contained in these sachets transform into toxic gas, particularly when exposed to heat," said a spokesman for the shoppers' solicitors, Russell Jones and Walker.

Argos replaced Miss Sheldon's sofa with a different type free of charge but she says she still has the skin rash and is self-conscious about it.

sarah.gillett@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk