A CHIPPENHAM man with a lung disease, which makes it difficult for him to walk even short distances, is desperate for a parking spot near his house but says his housing association is refusing to help.

Westlea Housing has turned down 77-year-old Ivor Gingell's request for a parking notice to be displayed near his house.

It says the move is not practical because other disabled users would be able to use the space.

Mr Gingell, a retired lorry driver, suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), one of the most common respiratory conditions in adults.

The disease has reduced Mr Gingell's lungs to 25 per cent of their normal capacity, leaving him always short of breath. Walking any distance is often traumatic because he has to fight to breathe.

The father-of-two, who lives in Hungerdown Lane with his wife Sandra, wrote to Westlea asking for a disabled sign to be placed at one of the car parking spaces outside his house.

He said: "It is not much to ask and it would make such a difference to my life. I have to go out to get shopping and the like and it is so difficult for me if I cannot park near my house, which is often the case."

But Westlea wrote back to say it could not carry out the request. A Westlea representative said: "The reasons are that we would not be able to prevent other disabled people from parking in the space.

"We would suggest that Mr Gingell speaks to his neighbours about the situation."

Mr Gingell believes the space will not be used frequently by other disabled users and is therefore still viable, as it will give him some relief.

He said: "I think Westlea are being totally callous. It's not a case of can't do but won't do. It's a very simple request and they come up with excuses for not doing it. Meanwhile I continue to struggle to walk short distances. It's really not on."

A Westlea representative said it is reviewing the situation.