A DISABLED man is looking forward to his first bath for more than five months after council officials finally promised to carry out improvements to his home.

Barry Joyce had not been able to have a bath or shower at his Spennymoor home since January, while he waited for a bedroom to be converted into a shower room, and for a new chair lift to be fitted.

But after The Northern Echo contacted council chiefs to discuss the case, they said work should start within three to five weeks.

An operation left Mr Joyce, who has a false leg, unable to get around the house without the aid of crutches and unable to get into his unadapted bath and shower.

He was assessed in February by a representative from Sedgefield Borough Council for the improvements, and deemed to be a "top priority" case, but was still left waiting for the work to be done.

Mr Joyce, 40, said: "I was desperate - I had not had a decent bath or shower since the morning I left hospital."

The retired baker qualifies for a disability living allowance, which is being processed by the council.

A representative from the council visited Mr Joyce on Wednesday.

Afterwards, a spokesman said: "In our view there has not been any delay - to carry out such work is a complicated job."