CANCER sufferer John Tunnicliffe claims he has been left out in the cold after deciding to put an end to his travelling lifestyle.

The caravan-dwelling artist made up his mind to finally settle down after he was diagnosed with a lymphoma last month.

However, his need for a home was made all the more desperate after he was forced to leave a pitch in Affetside two weeks ago.

The 55-year-old, who was being targeted by burglars there, now has no source of running water or settled pitch.

He claims that requests to Bury Council for a new home have not been taken seriously, despite his need for a forthcoming operation to remove his tumour.

Mr Tunnicliffe, who is currently staying on grazing land off Nuttall Lane in Ramsbottom, believes that he should have been visited by a social worker.

Although he has been offered a place in a hostel , Mr Tunnicliffe has declined the offer on the grounds that he needs his own privacy.

He said: "I just want to settle down and prepare for my operation.

"I dont want to die, but the way I am living now is not healthy and it is not helping. Now I have got nothing. I am in a state of complete limbo and cant get organised.

"I was desperate to move away from where I was so that I could get some peace, but I dont think that Im going to get that in a hostel."

Bury Councils older peoples service manager Alan Calvert said that two assessments of need, for both housing and community care, had been made for Mr Tunnicliffe.

Mr Calvert said: "Mr Tunnicliffe is entitled to assistance from the housing service, but they have offered him accommodation that he has declined.

"Given that he is fully mobile and able to handle his affairs we do not feel that he has a community care need.

"However, if his health does deteriorate in the future then we will deal with any community care needs that he does have."