"I SHOULDN'T be having to fight for the help I need – I should just be concentrating on getting better."

Those were the words of 65-year-old David Aisthorpe, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.

Mr Aisthorpe, who has had two operations to remove two tumours, completed his fifth bout of chemotherapy treatment earlier this month and requires round-the-clock care.

But the former window cleaner says he is struggling to cope living in his Nunsthorpe home because of a battle to obtain basic equipment.

Mr Aisthorpe, who for many years ran a daily fish round to Leeds, and his partner Jo Fowler say they have been "passed from pillar to post" in their attempts to get the equipment he needs to live a more comfortable life.

The couple, who are planning to get married later this month, say they and family members have forked out a total of £1,500 on equipment to help Mr Aisthorpe, including a £700 chair where he spends most of his day.

But, while they have been given a stair lift and grab rails since his diagnosis last year, their requests for other basic equipment, including a commode chair and a glider sheet to get in and out of bed more easily, have been sent round in circles.

The couple say that they have been in "constant contact" with the occupational therapy team and the A3 adults social services care section at the North East Lincolnshire's Care Trust Plus.

Mr Aisthorpe said: "It is like being stuck in a vicious circle – we can't seem to get anywhere.

"When we ring occupational therapy they tell us to ring A3, but when we call them they put us back on to occupational therapy."

A spokeswoman for North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus confirmed Mr Aisthorpe received an occupational therapy visit at the hospice yesterday.

Read the full story in today's Grimsby Telegraph.