A WOMAN from Plympton is suing a major retail chain after claiming to have been poisoned by 'toxic sofa syndrome'.

Paula Brooks, 41, who runs the Walkham Café on Burrington Way, bought a £700 leather sofa from Argos in March last year.

She quickly developed a rash so severe it led to six months of agony, during which she had to employ others to run her business and was forced to give up her beloved pets, believing they might be to blame for her crippling condition.

Around 1,000 people are taking legal action over health problems linked to sofas sold by Argos and Land of Leather, and made in China, in what is likely to be the largest class action in English legal history.

Paula, who has two teenage sons, said: “Although Argos replaced the sofa with a material one worth £300 less, they will accept no liability for my ill-health.

“I have never reacted to leather before and I regularly wear leather clothing, so I can only assume I was affected by toxic pesticides used to preserve the sofa, which the BBC's Watchdog programme identified.”

Paula's rash started as a small red area on her leg and developed into an inflamed, weeping mass which covered her legs, back, arms and face.

Suffering breathing difficulties and agony whenever she moved, she was eventually rushed to hospital, where she was put on a drip and told she had contracted severe blood poisoning.

She added: “Argos did not even send me a letter of apology.”

Paula lost at least £2,000 in wages to cover time she took off from managing her business in August, when her condition had reached its peak.

After several trips to the doctors and many prescriptions later, she also gave away her beloved cat and dog, believing it could be an allergy to them which was causing her so much pain.

She is now seeking compensation with the help of Leeds solicitors Godloves, which advertised specifically to locate people who believe they have suffered from 'toxic sofa syndrome'.

Andrew Charuk, of Godloves, said: “Argos retained the services of a consultant dermatologist, Dr Iain Foulds.

“His report states there is conclusive evidence the anti-mould agent within the sachets contained within the leather suites was the causative agents for the cases of sofa dermatitis and that di-methyl fumarate (DMF), in particular, was responsible,” he went on.

“A number of firms of solicitors have been contacted nationwide by clients who have purchased such suites and who have then gone on to suffer symptoms of skin allergies, rashes and burns and in some cases breathing difficulties.

“The sofa group litigation (class action) is likely to be the largest class action in English legal history.”

Paula said she heard an announcement on local radio about the sofa recall.

“Suddenly everything seemed to make sense. My health problems had started with the arrival of the sofa.

“I phoned Argos immediately and asked them to take it away. The minute it left the house I started to get better.

“My health has thankfully returned, as has my dog, and I'm able to work again but I've lost my cat and nearly eight months of my life to ill-health.”

A spokesperson for Argos said: “Argos would like to apologise to any customers who may have been affected by skin irritations linked to certain sofas manufactured by a company in China.

“The issue first came to our attention last summer and Argos withdrew the potentially affected items from sale voluntarily.

“We would like to make it clear no sofas produced by the Chinese factory are now sold in our business.

“As Ms Brooks' case is now subject to legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further on her case at this time.”

They urge anyone with any problems to contact their local GP and call them on 0845 640 2020.

No one from Land of Leather was available for comment.