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Priests visited the home of a Liverpool bedroom tax victim to try to exorcise a demon she says has occupied her spare room.

Lorna McDonald has had a churchmen visit her house on several occasions since she started to report ghostly goings on, and they have performed prayers and rituals to try to banish the demon.

Lorna was left living alone in the Belle Vale house after her 22-year-old daughter became too terrified to stay there when she claims a mysterious demonic shape appeared in a photograph taken in the room, and mirrors began to fly off the walls.

The room is now empty, and Mrs McDonald, 46, is racking up arrears, and she cannot be rehoused because she owes money. Although she believes the spirt - which she claims has assaulted her and left her with bruising on her body - has taken up residence in the room, government rules on ‘under-occupancy’ of bedrooms don’t cover paranormal house guests and she is still eligible to pay the charge.

Catholic Arch diocese leaders confirmed they had visited the semi-detached home in Southbrook Road, and continue to support Mrs McDonald.

Christian faith healers have also visited and are analysing photographs they took while they were there to look for any signs of supernatural presence.

Mrs McDonald said: “My daughter moved out about nine months ago because she was petrified.

“It all started with noises. We had a mirror on the wall and I thought my daughter had dropped something on the wooden floor, but the mirror had started shaking.

“My mum won’t come here any more. Neighbours walk past and make the sign of the cross. I asked a man if he’d come and decorate and he asked if there’d be a priest there because he was too scared to come in the house.”

A priest from a local church has visited and blessed the house and said prayers which Mrs McDonald said included saying “I demand you leave your attachment to Lorna and kneel at the foot of the Lord, go to the place God has provided for you.”

The mum-of-two said while the priest was there a small statue of the Buddha suddenly flew across the room.

A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese said there had been ceremonies carried out both at Mrs McDonald’s home and in church, adding: “We can confirm that a priest has visited the house on several occasions and we continue to offer support to resolve the situation.”

A spokesperson for Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) said: “We are aware of Mrs McDonald's concerns and met with her again last week to discuss the matter.

“In addition, since 2010, we have made repeated offers of support with financial matters and have been in long-standing discussions with her.

“We will continue to work with Mrs McDonald so that we can provide our support.”