A DISABLED former vicar claims he is a prisoner in his own home because the Church is refusing to pay for adaptions to his new bungalow.

The Reverend David Clegg, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 12 years ago, lives in a Church-owned house in Western Hill, Durham City.

Earlier this year, the Church of England Pensions Board bought a bungalow for him at Newton Hall, but, although some improvements have been carried out, the board will not pay for other disability facilities.

Mr Clegg has applied for grants, but they will take time to process. He said: "Surely they can pay for the adaptions up front until the grants come through."

Mr Clegg fears it may be next year before he can move, and the delay could worsen his illness.

A spokesman for the board said: "We agreed to buy the property and spend £30,000. That work is almost finished and it should be ready later this month.

"It was agreed that the specialist disabled items would be funded by grants, but unfortunately they haven't come through yet and we can't carry out the work until they do.

"There is a bathroom in the bungalow, which Mr Clegg could use in the short term."