A DOCTOR who suffers from a chronic sleep disorder today blasted a controversial move to withdraw funding for treatment.

Dr David Elliott, 54, a scientist at Salford University, revealed how a simple remedy had given him his first decent night's rest in 10 years - and cured his sleep apnoea.

The condition, linked to heavy snoring and severe drowsiness, is also believed to leave sufferers vulnerable to heart attacks, strokes and falling asleep while driving.

East Lancashire Health Authority has withdrawn funding for the condition which has already led to the resignation of Burnley chest specialist Harry Hosker and stinging criticism from Blackburn consultant Dr Peter Ormerod.

The health authority has argued that studies had produced insufficient evidence to show what caused the condition and the effectiveness of treatment.

But Dr Elliott has described how a simple face mask-style machine, costing only £400, had transformed his life.

He was referred to the North West's only sleep clinic at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, where his condition was closely observed during an overnight stay. Dr Elliott said: "For over half the night my sleep was interrupted by lengthy periods of choking during which the oxygen level in my blood dropped alarmingly, my lung function and heartbeat went completely erratic with long periods of non-breathing and the noise level was way above the anti-social limit of 50 decibels.

"The amount of useful sleep I was getting was negligible. Wythenshawe lent me a CPAP machine - basically an air pump feeding a face mask - which prevents the air passages in the throat collapsing during sleep.

"The result was the first decent night's sleep for ten years. I was alert and full of energy. Gone was the lethargy and drowsiness at work and when driving and inevitable falling asleep in the evening, which I had come to take as normal.

"I understand that this instant transformation of the quality of life is typical of users of CPAP machines, many of whom have worse problems than myself.

"You can imagine therefore how upset I feel as a patient about the decision of the health authority to pull the plug on such treatment and deny others the benefits I and others have enjoyed.

"Hopefully those enthusiasts who remain in the local health service will not lose heart and follow Mr Hosker, but press for this part of Lancashire to have the same capacity to treat sleep disorders.

"Perhaps we will see a properly equipped sleep clinic in this area like the one in Wythenshawe."

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