A PENSIONER who has difficulty climbing stairs says he has waited for a council bungalow for six years.

Harry Day first asked to be moved from his semi-detached council house in Gilsland Crescent, Darlington, after a series of heart attacks.

The 70-year-old divorcee also has angina, asthma and bladder trouble.

"My bladder just goes and I can't get up the stairs in time. I can't afford a stairlift and I'm just getting desperate."

Mr Day said he could not look after his large garden because of his illnesses.

"I'm just not well enough to do it," he said.

He said the borough council had failed to find him a suitable new home.

"All I want is a bungalow with a small garden," he said.

"I have four children and 11 grandchildren and I need a two-bedroom place for when they stay."

He said the authority had failed to put his name forward for housing association bungalows at Parkside.

A council spokesman said the Parkside bungalows were only for couples.

"He has refused three bungalows since 2000, saying they were not big enough or he wanted an extra bedroom," said the spokesman.

"We come up with offers and he doesn't want them. He has been very specific about what he wants and if he is that specific then he will wait longer."