A FORMER RAF corporal who claims his military service is to blame for his serious illnesses is taking on the Ministry of Defence at the Court of Appeal.

Shaun Wood, 52, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is confined to a wheelchair and suffers with multiple system atrophy - a degenerative illness affecting the nervous system.

He claims his problems stem from his long-term exposure to a cocktail of solvents as a painter at RAF sites across the world.

There is no cure and Mr Wood, of St Paul's Close, was invalided out of the service and takes 50 tablets a day.

Last year the High Court at the District Registry, Middlesbrough, upheld his claims but the MoD has appealed.

The case is set to be heard by the Court, of Appeal, London, on Monday, 28, and Tuesday, 29 March.

Mr Wood said: "I have been fighting for compensation for 18 years and I don’t intend to give up now.

"I come from a military family and making the decision to pursue compensation went against my instincts.

"But when I die my wife will be left without an income because my war pension will be taken away and I’ve always wanted to ensure that she is provided for."

Mr Wood, whose father was a Lancaster Bomber navigator in the Second World War, joined the military upon leaving school in 1975.

His job involved the painting of aircraft and motor vehicles at RAF sites including at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, sometimes in excess of 12hours a day Married with three sons, two with RAF service, he was medically discharged from active service with Parkinson’s Disease which deteriorated into multiple system atrophy.

Andrew McDonald, from Thompson’s Solicitors, represents Mr Wood.

He said: "It beggars belief that the MoD is doing its very best to deny compensation.

"We remain optimistic that he will receive the compensation to which he is entitled as a result of the MOD’s breach of their legal duty."

A MoD spokesman said: "There has not been a ruling made yet on this case it’s going to the Court of Appeal and we can’t say anymore."