A TERMINALLY-ill man has pleaded with a council to build a downstairs bathroom extension so he can die with dignity in the home where he has lived for 34 years.

And a national disabled charity slammed the amount set aside by Ribble Valley Borough Council for adaptations to its council properties as "ridiculous" after Barry Pinder's request was rejected for being too costly.

Barry, 55, has been a 'prisoner' in his living room at Queen Street, Clitheroe, for four years since his heart and lung complaint worsened and he was put on an oxygen machine all day.

He has claimed a groundfloor extension is the only way to give him the privacy he craves because he is unable to get upstairs. He said he had been stripped of his dignity by having to go to the toilet, wash and get dressed in his living room.

Earlier this month, Ribble Valley Borough Council housing officers offered Barry alternative accommodation in Clitheroe which they said was fully adapted to his needs.

But he rejected this offer and is adamant he wants to die at his council-owned home because he wants to avoid the upheaval of moving when he is so ill.

Christine Grimshaw, housing manager at Ribble Valley Borough Council said a budget of £20,000 is available each year for adaptations and Mr Pinder's request would cost at least £15,000 so others would then be deprived.

But Liz Silver, community housing officer for The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), a charity which campaigns for equal rights for disabled people, said even though Ribble Valley was a relatively small council, £20,000 a year was a 'ridiculous' amount for any authority to set aside for adaptations to council houses.

Doctor Nigel Horsefield, the consultant at Blackburn's Queens Park Hospital treating Barry, has tried to keep Barry as comfortable as possible by giving him the oxygen machine.

Barry said hospital staff have told him to be thankful for everyday he wakes up but that he could live for another four years.

Barry was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease when he was 28 and his health has deteriorated.

His lungs fail to circulate enough oxygen, causing the symptoms of bronchitis, emphysema and asthma -- which will gradually destroy his health until his body gives up.

He said he has been given the last rites three times, most recently last Christmas when he spent three months in hospital. Carers come daily to wash and dress him and he sees a psychologist to help him cope with the stress.

Barry, who lives at the house with his partner of 28 years, Marjorie, and her 15 year-old grandson, Gary, said: "They wanted me to have a two bedroomed house but I wouldn't be comfortable. I have spent 34 years doing this house up and don't want to lose all that."

"I am confined to one room and have everything possible in it. But I can not have a bath or a shower.

"If they equipped an extension with a shower it could be used for someone else afterwards.

"To have a chemical toilet in my living room is degrading."

The £20,000 is for the 1,350 stock of council owned homes. A further £120,000 is set aside for work on the 22,000 privately-owned homes in the Ribble Valley.

This year the council has spent the £20,000 carrying out 25 minor adaptations to help disabled people, such as installing stair and grab rails, plus 15 major alterations including fitting stair lifts, ramps and level access showers.

Christine Grimshaw said two meetings had been arranged with Barry and his partner of 28 years Marjorie, but the couple cancelled both.

"If we met Mr Pinder we could discuss whether we can help them apply for a grant for the work from elsewhere," she said.

"Even if we went with the extension Mr Pinder's partner and her grandson wouldn't be able to live there if he died because the house would only be for a disabled person and we would have to find someone else suitable for it.

"We have to make the best of what we have got."

Liz Silver said Mr Pinder's problems were typical of the difficulties disabled people encounter getting adaptations.

"I know budgets are stretched but it seems ridiculous only having a budget of £20,000 a year for adaptations. One extension could cost £15,000.

"I would have thought respect for him as a person and for where he has lived would make the council try to help him stay where he is.

"It's a really difficult situation because offering a property nearby makes sense practically, and is a responsible use of council tax, but morally we would hope they accept what he is saying and respect his wishes and do everything they can to help him."

Clive Fisher, of CJ Architects, Oswaldtwistle, which specialises in disabled adaptations, designed Mr Pinder's proposed extension, which was rejected by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

He said Mr Pinder's house was unsuitable for a chair lift because the angle of the stairs meant it would cost as much as an extension.