Vera Short suffered a severe skin allergy, allegedly triggered by the leather three-piece, that left her back and buttocks red raw.

The 64-year-old, who bought the Chinese-made furniture from Walmsleys, in Sunderland city centre, is part of 750 people in a group litigation order against a number of retailers.

It is claimed that certain batches of the sofas, made by Linkwise, contained a chemical substance known as a fumarate – to prevent mould – which has been blamed for violent reactions in babies, adults and households pets.

It is said to have left them with scars akin to scalding water or chronic sunburn injuries.

Vera, who is represented by Sweeney Miller Solicitors, in Mowbray Road, bought the brown three-piece for her home in New Penshaw last year, for about £600.

Days later, a painful rash develop on her back, which quickly spread.
"I was in real discomfort with it," said Vera. "Within two weeks I was having to go to the doctors every day."

The rash blistered and began watering heavily. "I was having to get up four or five times a night to change the sheets because they were wet," said Vera.

After six weeks she saw a skin specialist at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
"Straight away he said 'have you bought a leather three-piece lately?'

"I was gobsmacked. I told him I had. and he said 'That three-piece has got to be out of your house today'."

Vera - whose husband George died two years ago - said she would not have got through the sofa ordeal without the help of her friend Anita Moody.

Treatment cleared up the rash on Vera's back, but she claims has been left with eczema.

She had to make do with a deckchair in her front room for three weeks after dumping the three-piece, until family members clubbed together to buy her a new suite.

She also said her holiday in Benidorm was ruined as she had to stay indoors almost the whole time, because it was too hot and painful to go outside.

The group litigation order is against a number of high-street retailers, including Walmsleys. Walmsleys declined to comment.

Linkwise has denied its products have anything to do with the alleged skin problems, and said tests have not established a direct link.

The Group Litigation Order is thought to be the biggest customer liability claim of its kind in the UK.

Lindsey Augu, of Sweeney Miller, said: "Those affected have been back and forth to their doctor or hospital about their symptoms, receiving unsuccessful treatment for various skin complaints including eczema and psoriasis.

"Our clients found that so long as exposure to their affected sofa continued, their symptoms persisted."

She added: "My primary concern is that other people may still be suffering severe skin allergies having bought these sofas, but don't realise that they are the cause of their symptoms."

* Anyone who believes they have been affected can ring Sweeney Miller on 568 2050.