A DISABLED pensioner says common sense has prevailed after a council agreed to collect his old bed and mattress from his back garden.

Amputee Thomas Smith, who uses a wheelchair and has a severe neurological condition, was originally told the items would only be removed if he paid a fee of £15 and moved them on to the street.

The 80-year-old, from Bishop Auckland, told Durham County Council he was happy to pay the fee but said he would be unable to move the bed or mattress due to his disabilities and the fact he lives alone

However, Mr Smith says the council employee maintained the items needed to be on the street, and also told him the mattress would not be taken if it was wet as this could damage the lorry.

Mr Smith, whose right leg was amputated below the knee in 1994 due to ulcers, got in touch with The Northern Echo, and, yesterday, Durham County Council contacted him and apologised.

Mary Readman, the council’s customer relations manager, said: “We always try, wherever possible, to make special arrangements for residents who need our help and we are really sorry that Mr Smith’s experience wasn’t up to our usual standard.

"We have apologised for any inconvenience or distress this may have caused and have made arrangements with Mr Smith to pick up the bed and mattress.”

Mr Smith’s old bed was dismantled and placed in his garden last week when his new bed was delivered.

The retired British Airways worker said he was pleased it was being taken away but added: “You shouldn’t have to go to the press to get things like this sorted out.

"I thought the council was supposed to look after disabled people but they didn’t seem to care last week. How am I supposed to drag the bed and that big mattress across the garden? Common sense has prevailed.”