A DISABLED war veteran has sacked social services in protest at increased charges for his home help.

Thomas Bywater, 81, suffers from emphysema and needs a nebuliser to help him breathe but has decided to stop paying Blackburn with Darwen Council all together.

Recent changes to funding support means that he is now unable to pay an increased charge of £17 -- £13 more than his normal weekly payment.

And after an appeal in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph which generated the help of a volunteer, he has officially told social services that he no longer wants to be on their books.

The former Desert Rat said: "I am absolutely fed up and just want it all to go away. They wanted £17 off me for two hours care and I just can't afford it so I have cancelled it.

"I used to work all day driving a lorry to earn that kind of money. It is scandalous."

Mr Bywater, a retired driver, from Oriel Close, Blackburn, fought in Egypt, France and Germany during the Second World War but is now widowed, has no relatives to assist him. He relies on a motorised scooter to get around.

He used to pay a means-tested fee of £3.45 for a home help to come to his home twice a week to assist him in having a bath and to clean and tidy his home.

But after new 'Fairer Charging' guidance introduced by the government, the social services department of Blackburn with Darwen Council, in line with councils across the country, has reviewed its charges.

An appeal in the Telegraph generated the help of mum Sandra Almond who pledged to come to the aid of disabled war veteran by offering her cleaning services for free.

A spokesperson for A1 care services, subcontracted to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the care said: "Mr Bywater cancelled his care with us, saying he could no longer afford the costs."

A second Blackburn pensioner told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph she is considering hiring a private cleaner after her costs also trebled under the new changes.

The 80 year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, normally pays £5.10 per week for someone to clean her home and do her weekly shopping.

But under the new guidelines, that amount has now increased to £20.10.

The Department of Health say that the fair access to care services was introduced to end inconsistency.

War veteran Tom in

tactical withdrawal