A DAD facing eviction from his council flat just weeks after the death of his partner has been told that he can stay put.

After weeks of turmoil, Southampton taxi driver Tony Whyte and his four-year-old son Michael have been given the all-clear to stay in their flat in St James' Close, Shirley.

The news comes after the Daily Echo highlighted their cause earlier this month.

As reported in the Daily Echo, two months ago Tony's partner Julie Leigh lost her 20-month fight with cancer, aged 40.

Then, three weeks ago, he was told that he and Michael might be evicted from their council flat because Tony's name did not appear on the council rent book.

On top of it all, he has been fighting his own battle with bowel cancer.

Now, though, he has received a letter from the council informing him that he will be able to stay in the flat and take up the tenancy.

Good news Delighted Tony said that he couldn't believe it when he received the letter informing him of the good news.

The 52-year-old said: "I saw the white envelope lying on the carpet and I knew it was from the council.

"I waited until Michael went out to play before opening it.

"I couldn't believe it when I read the letter.

"I had to read it a few times over to make sure I was reading it correctly.

"There are no words I can say to describe how happy I was.

"Sometimes you can get lost in the system, but the Daily Echo's coverage really brought my case to the fore."

Tony said that Michael, who has just started at Shirley Infant School, was over the moon when he heard the news.

He said: "The expression on Michael's face said it all - his eyes were wide open and he had a huge grin."

The Daily Echo highlighted Tony and Michael's plight on September 13 after South-ampton City Council warned that they might not be able to stay at the flat, as Tony was not the registered tenant.

The couple had intended to add his name to the rent book but forgot as Julie's condition deteriorated.

Yesterday a spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "The council went through a detailed process of investigation and decision-making, which involved determining Mr Whyte's right to be offered housing and his need for a particular type of accommodation.

"Once both these had been assessed he was offered the tenancy of the property in which he and his son had been living.

"It was necessary to go through this process in order to protect Mr Whyte's interests and those of our customers on the housing list, and to ensure that the case was dealt with fairly."

Tony will now meet council officers on Tuesday to sign the tenancy agreement.