A SEDGEMOOR wheelchair user has issued a passionate plea for help - amid claims he is a “prisoner in his own home”.

Laurence Shulton, 69, from Whiting Lane in North Petherton, has been confined to a wheelchair since an operation on his spine in 2007, and has not been able to leave his house on his own for three years.

He has no feeling in his legs and limited use of his hands, and is now looking to move because there are no wheelchair ramps outside his home.

But his brother Alan told the Mercury that despite Laurence's condition, a countywide Homefinder scheme to help him secure a property has only classed him as 'medium need'.

Alan said: “Laurence is a prisoner in his own home.

“He has been on the Homefinder scheme for about ten months and has yet to get anything suitable. He needs to be in a place where he is around people.”At the moment he feels like a forgotten man.”

Laurence is in the middle 'silver band' of the Homefinder scheme, which aims to give those in need a chance of securing a property by allowing them to bid for homes.

And he told the Mercury: “It has been a nightmare for three years. I really need something like sheltered accommodation where I can get out and about.”

Jerry Milton, housing advice manager for Sedgemoor District Council, who works on the Homefinder scheme, said he would look into the case but said Mr Shulton had been offered two properties in the last few months.

Mr Milton added: “Those in the top gold band are usually those who have a life-threatening condition linked to their accommodation.

“Even so, more than 50% of the people successfully housed are in the silver band.”