A PENSIONER today claimed his wife had been a virtual prisoner in their home for 18 months because of a disabled adaptations backlog.

Anne Coughlin, 83, needs a ramp outside her home in Birch Hall Avenue, Darwen, to move her wheelchair.

But she is 49th on landlord Twin Valley Homes' waiting list. The housing association today said it provided a £250,000 budget for disabled adaptations, even though it has no statutory responsibility to do so, but that this was insufficient to meet demand.

Anne's husband James, 76, said he used to lift his wife, who is partially sighted, has asthma and a heart condition, out of the flat to take her out. But he has struggled to do so since he had a stroke last year.

Anne has been wheelchair-bound for two years, and the Coughlins have been demanding the adaptation for 18 months.

"We are very frustrated because we feel like are being fobbed off," said James, "they have told me they won't be able to afford it."

The couple were offered an adapted home, but wanted to stay where they have lived for 18 years.

Gwyneth Sarkar, director of housing at Twin Valley said: "The statutory responsibility lies with Social Services and the criteria to determine the priority of each case is set by Social Services and the Health Authority."