A BLIND, handless man has enlisted the support of an MP to help him in his fight for mobility allowance, in 1976.

Michael Carroll from Accrington, lost his sight and his forearms in a dynamite accident in Australia in 1960.

Although he is able to work as a telephone operator, Mr Carroll cannot get to and from work on his own, and relies on his wife, who also works full time as a hairdresser, to ferry him about.

In 1976, despite a medical board deciding he was eligible for the money, he was denied the mobility allowance by his doctor.

The Department of Health and Social Security successfully appealed the medical board's decision, meaning the 49-year-old was turned away with nothing.

He said: "I can't do anything for myself, I can't hold a white stick or use a guide dog, yet I have been told I cannot get the allowance while I can still walk."

Mr Carroll's case was picked up by his MP, Arthur Davidson, who agreed to raise the issue in the House of Commons and ask a minister from the Department of Health and Social Security to change the law.

The extra money would help Mr Carroll be more independent and would assist his wife in helping him get to work.

He said: "I'm grateful to Mr Davidson for trying to help me. Perhaps if he is successful it will help more disabled people."