A BLIND woman who waited 27 years for her first child is to appeal against a Benefits Agency decision to deny her home help.

June and Gordon Welch had given up all hope of having a family after trying for almost three decades to conceive.

It was against all odds that 52-year-old Mrs Welch eventually got pregnant and gave birth to their son, Matthew, on August 10, 1999.

She suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive disease which has left her blind.

But disability living allowance guidelines mean that because the way in which Mrs Welch's disability affects her has not changed, she does not qualify for any home care to help her with Matthew.

Mrs Welch, who lives in Dipton, County Durham, said: "I'm not asking for any money, I just need some help."

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "Someone's entitlement to DLA benefit is based on the affects their disability has on their daily life.

"They may ask for a re-assesment at any time.