A construction worker says he was treated like an illegal immigrant after returning home sick from a job abroad.

Patrick Docherty, 58, who came back after less than a month away, was asked to prove he was a British citizen before claiming state help.

He was told to take a habitual residence test after working in Holland for three weeks - but he refused on principle.

Now the father-of-one is defying doctors' orders not to return to work, because he has yet to receive a penny in benefit.

"The system has just gone crazy. I couldn't believe it when I saw they were questioning my right to be in this country. I felt as if I was being treated as an illegal immigrant," he said.

"I was born a British subject and I have held a British passport for more than 30 years. I just could not see why I should fill in a form like this."

Mr Docherty, of Seaham, County Durham, was left penniless for weeks after his claim was delayed.

He has now gone back to work, this time in the UK, despite the risk to his health.

A spokesman for the DSS said it was a routine procedure to send out habitual residence test forms to people who have been working abroad.