A GREAT Harwood man who was badly injured in an horrific road accident faces another battle after having his disability allowance slashed.

Dave Aspden was told he was being taken off monthly mobility allowance - without having a medical to assess his physical abilities.

The 62-year-old, of Moss Street, now says he will appeal against the decision on the advice of his solicitor.

Dave's left leg was crushed when he was hit by a car as he walked home from work in 1993.

"It makes me angry to think someone who has never met me can make decisions about my life," he fumed.

"I'm no scrounger and I've worked all my life, paying National Insurance. I never before asked for a penny from the State."

He added: "I agreed to a medical but I was never asked to attend one. If I had been given the chance to see a doctor and was then told I couldn't claim mobility, I would accept it."

Following the accident Dave was in hospital for ten months and used a wheelchair for another eight months.

He said: "Now I can't use public transport because my leg is so delicate. It is covered in ulcers and swells up like a balloon if it's knocked." Dave's mobility gave him £130 a month - which he was saving to buy an automatic car.

Wife Agnes said: "He was just getting used to going out again when they landed this on us. The key to his independence is an automatic car."

A DLA spokesman said: "We cannot discuss individual cases. A customer who is unhappy with a decision on their claim for Disability Living Allowance can request a review within three months of the date of notification."

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