WHEN disabled Skelton resident Bob Simmons asked his council for double glazing to help him sleep at night, he didn't get the new windows he expected, but earplugs.

Mr Simmons is partially sighted and suffers from sleep apnoea, a life-threatening condition which leaves him constantly tired and means he has to be connected to an oxygen machine at night. Noise from children and delivery wagons nearby add to his fatigue.

When Mr Simmons heard his council was launching a £600,000 home improvement scheme, he thought he might qualify for help.

He said of the council's offer: "What an insult. Sending the earplugs is taking the mickey."

A Redcar and Cleveland Council spokesman said the earplugs were a "genuine attempt" to solve the problem. He said: "We are disappointed if Mr Simmons was upset in any way and are dismayed that, to date, he has not responded to our offer to discuss the case further with him."

The spokesman added they had taken medical advice from a consultant who said it was impossible to determine that outside noise contributed to Mr Simmons' sleep disruption.