Richmond MP William Hague is taking up the case of a man suffering from a degenrative disease who endured a 12-month wait for work to make his life easier.

The former Conservative leader said he will pressure the Government to reform the system for grants to modify the homes of disabled people after hearing about David Hainsworth's experience.

The 49-year-old, of Neville Walk, Richmond, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in November 2000.

A rapidly degenerative and ultimately fatal condition, MND means he has limited use of his legs and can no longer lift his head or arms.

He applied for a disabled facilities grant through North Yorkshire County Council in October 2001.

He hoped it would allow him to maintain his independence by paying for a downstairs shower-room conversion and improved wheelchair access to his home.

Mr Hainsworth said it took almost 12 months for the work to start and, after a catalogue of errors, the electrics needed rewiring, water from the shower- room drained into the dining room and the path to his home needed relaying.

The married father-of-one said: "People with MND can expect to live around two to five years. I have spent three of those precious years fighting with the council.

"There needs to be a fast-tracked service for people with MND. We cannot afford to wait so long for the disabled facilities grant. Time is a luxury that we simply do not have."

Mr Hague said: "It is very important with this type of illness that work such as this is completed as quickly as possible and with a minimum of fuss."

He said he had written to Maria Eagle, the Minister for Disabled People, to ask her to consider the possibility of fast-tracking disabled facilities grants for people suffering from MND, and was awaiting her reply.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Council said: "A number of issues have been raised by Mr Hainsworth as a result of our involvement and we have done our very best to meet his needs in often difficult circumstances.

"We take the matters which have been raised very seriously and hope to have them all resolved very shortly."