A DISABLED man fears he will become a prisoner in his own home if a solution to access problems cannot be found.

Terry Beecham, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had surgery on his neck in 1999, which damaged his spinal cord.

He was forced to give up work as a baker and his condition is getting progressively worse.

Mr Beecham expects to become a full time wheelchair user and will need access at the back of his home on Gregson Street in Sacriston.

The 61-year-old is locked in dispute with Durham County Council, which he claims has wasted £25,000 by installing a hydraulic lift he did not want.

Mr Beecham said: “I could not use the lift. It was too cumbersome for me. It was not fit for purpose. I cannot use the steps because my disability is worsening.

“I have not way of getting an electric wheelchair out the front door or the back.

“I am going to be trapped in here and unable to leave the house.”

Mr Beecham, who lives independently, would like to have a ramp installed, but has been told by the authority gradient of his yard is too step to meet building regulations.

He is now considering legal action and claims the authority has a duty of care to help him.

Lee Alexander, Durham County Council’s head of adult care, said: “The hydraulic lift was removed at Mr Beecham’s specific request against the advice of the professionals involved.

“Since the removal, we have been working with Mr Beecham to help him find more suitable accommodation close to his current home.

“We have advised him that it would not be feasible to install a ramp at his current property as the front door goes directly onto a footpath and the gradient at the rear entrance would make it unsafe to do so.”