A DISABLED man says he will become a prisoner in his own home as he is set to lose his mobility car.

Andrew Dracup, of Ferryhill, suffers from a progressive hereditary disease called cerebellar ataxia - a condition which affects his balance, speech and coordination.

The 55-year-old former forklift driver was made redundant from his job after an accident where he was trapped between two forklifts in 2009 and has since suffered from depression.

The Northern Echo: LIFELINE: Andrew Dracup from Ferryhill who is having his mobility car taken off him Picture: PAUL NORRIS

LIFELINE: Andrew Dracup from Ferryhill who is having his mobility car taken off him. Picture: PAUL NORRIS

He has also been diagnosed with thinning of the aortic valve in his heart and uses his Nissan Qashqai for frequent hospital appointments in Darlington, Sunderland and Newcastle as he cannot use public transport.

Mr Dracup, who lives with his wife Kim, received his mobility car in 2010 but after a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment in August, was told his payments would drop to standard rate despite letters from both his GP and consultant stating he needed the vehicle.

Mrs Dracup, who works as a shop steward, said the couple received the letter from the Motability Scheme demanding the car back by December 17; before they had been notified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of the outcome of the assessment.

She said: "I just feel so sorry for him and I have said I will fight tooth and nail - this was the last thing we needed."

She added: "When the assessor came and was asking questions, he did not understand what she was asking.

"To me she did not do a proper assessment because she did not see him walk or trying to go upstairs to get into the bath - he cannot carry anything but the report is totally unbelievable saying he converses very well."

Mrs Dracup said her husband would become a "prisoner" if the car was taken away as it was his "lifeline".

A DWP spokeswoman said PIP assessments are carried out by qualified healthcare professionals who take a "holistic" approach when assessing people's needs.

She said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.

“Anyone that disagrees with a decision can appeal, and most people leaving the Motability Scheme are eligible for a one-off payment of up to £2,000 to help meet their needs.”