A PENSIONER battling terminal cancer today spoke of his red tape ordeal as it was revealed more than half of cancer sufferers in the region are not getting the benefits they are entitled to.

Dennis Day, 73, from Woodbury Avenue, Blackburn, had to wait two years and attend two tribunals in Burnley to receive disability benefits.

Mr Day was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1994 and has just completed treatment for lung cancer, which was spotted last year.

Despite being unable to smell, taste and speak he had to fight initially for Disability Living Allowance then the Attendance Allowance, as officials told him he didn't qualify as disabled.

Mr Day said: "After two operations which included a laryngectomy, I was left without the ability to speak.

"If I had lost a leg and was unable to work I could claim benefits.

"The older you are the less inclined you are to probe for benefits especially when you are feeling ill. You should not have to fight to receive benefits."

Alex Emsley, from Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "Mr Day has had great difficulty in receiving the benefits he is entitled to and is not alone.

"Nearly half of all people diagnosed with terminal cancer in the North West are missing out on disability benefits."

The charity claims more than £13.1million in disability benefits is going unclaimed across the North West.

They are now so concerned that thousands of cancer patients are not claiming benefits to which they are entitled to through lack of information, confusion or embarrassment that they have set up a help line to advise cancer sufferers of their rights.

Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "Our findings are just the tip of the iceberg.

"It is appalling that people affected by cancer are faced with the unacceptable extra stress and worry of money problems when they are most vulnerable."

"At a time when people are feeling tired and ill, the whole process is so draining and long that we know many people will just give up.

"It is so sad that these forms and red tape are such a nightmare because the money can make such a big difference to the final months of someone's life."

A spokesperson for the disability benefits centre in Manchester said moves were being made to speed up the process. He added: "We cannot comment on individual cases but the Government is committed to helping people with the extra costs they may face as a result of their illness."

For a guide to benefits for cancer sufferers, including DLA, AA, housing benefits, income support and council tax benefit, call the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020.