A DISABLED man has not had a bath in four months because he cannot get upstairs to the bathroom.

Wheelchair-bound Paul Sanderson, who has cerebral palsy, has to be stripped and washed down daily by his disabled mother in the kitchen.

He also has to use a special commode in the kitchen for his toilet needs.

Mum Eileen - who has arm, neck and back problems - has been pleading for a stair-lift to be fitted in her council house on Graham Street, Deepdale, Preston, and is bitterly angry that the process is taking weeks to sort out.

She said: "I find it extremely painful lifting and washing Paul as he's very heavy. This has gone on for far too long and is very unhygienic. It's not fair on my son as he just doesn't get a proper wash."

And the delay could go on for many more weeks as the Sandersons are still waiting for Paul's needs to be assessed by an occupational therapist.

A social services spokesperson said: "Until a full assessment has been completed, it will not be possible to make any decision about the stair-lift.

"There are also health and safety issues in terms of Mrs Sanderson transferring her son on and off the stairlift safely.

"Preston Borough Council will be responsible for completing the adaptation as the family lives in a council property. It is being dealt with as quickly as possible."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.