The controversial 'bedroom tax' case of a Pembrokeshire family is being examined in the UK’s highest court.

The hearing in the Supreme Court in London, which began on Monday, saw seven judges listen to a government department challenge against a ruling made in favour of Paul and Sue Rutherford of Clunderwen.

The couple care for their severely-disabled grandson, 16-year-old Warren Todd and last month, the Court of Appeal ruled that the bedroom tax - or spare room subsidy - had not been justified in their case and they had suffered discrimination.

But the victory was brief for the Rutherfords, with the news that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was to appeal against the ruling, which was also made in favour of a single mum who relied on a ‘panic room’ to protect her from a violent partner.

Mr and Mrs Rutherford care for Warren in a specially-built, three bedroomed bungalow at Bro Waldo, Clunderwen.

The property has been designated as Warren’s ‘home for life’ by the Pembrokeshire Housing Association, and has had £20,000 worth of additional adaptations funded by the Welsh Assembly.

The third bedroom - the subject of the bedroom tax argument - is used by carers who stay overnight at least twice a week, and also for the storage of equipment.

Warren is the only known sufferer in the UK of Potocki-Schaffer Syndrome. He is unable to walk, talk or feed himself and is doubly incontinent.

Mr Rutherford appeared on ITV’s This Morning on Monday ahead of the start of the Supreme Court’s three-day hearing, and he told ITV News that his health would suffer from the strain of the event.

“But it is important to show my face,” he said.

Assembly candidate Dan Lodge, who is standing for Labour in Preseli Pembrokeshire, is amongst those backing the Rutherfords, has criticised the government for “wasting public money” on £50,000 of legal fees to defend the bedroom tax and for causing “unnecessary heartache” tio to the Rutherfords and other vulnerable people.

The Supreme Court judges, who are also considering appeals from other bedroom tax cases, will announce their judgement at a later date.