A ROMANTIC pensioner wants the NHS to give him an old ambulance so he convert it into a motorhome and whisk his one-legged wife away on holiday.

Derek Bozward of Worcester says it would be ‘nice’ if the NHS could give him an old ambulance before it is scrapped or auctioned off so he can take his wheelchair-bound wife of 41 years on holiday to Blackpool.

The 66-year-old of Blenheim Road, St John’s, is a full time carer for his wife Wendy and hopes to be given an ambulance after discovering that old ones are auctioned off in Merthyr Tydfil.

He also hopes Worcester News readers can donate a caravan so he can use its furnishings for the ambulance to convert it into a motorhome, work he would pay for out of his own pocket.

If he’s able to secure the ambulance, the father-of-three wants it fitted with a toilet, gas, lighting and furnishings including a bed and a fridge and says he already has two men in mind to carry out the job.

The grandfather-of-seven hopes his romantic gesture, if successful, will put a smile on his wife's face after a series of health problems left her confined to a wheelchair. She suffers from diabetes which led to the amputation of her leg, has battled a brain tumour and has experienced a stroke and several heart attacks.

He said: “I would like to take her to Blackpool. She likes it there, by the sea. She isn’t very hard to please. I think that is going to make her so happy. Just to see her face is going to be outstanding.”

His wife's sister recently asked her where she was going on holiday to which she answered 'nowhere'.

However, Mrs Bozward hopes all that could change if they manage to secure an ambulance to convert and go on a new adventure.

She said: "At least we would be able to get out. If it's your own you can have it converted to meet your needs. If you buy a motorhome there's not always enough room to put your wheelchair in."

Referring to her husband, she added: "He does dote on me."

The last time the couple had a break was a day trip to Blackpool.

Mr Bozward said they scarcely had time to have some fish and chips and go along the pier before they had to climb back in the coach and head home.

Though Mr Bozward credits staff at the intensive care unit with saving his life after he suffered an aneurysm in November 2015, he was not happy with all aspects of his care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and says the NHS could consider the ambulance as a gift in lieu of compensation for the more negative aspects of his treatment.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said they did not sell ambulances but returned them to the company that provided them at the end of the lease.

However, she suggested Mr Bozward could contact other ambulance services to see if they could provide him with one.

Mr Bozward said if anyone could donate an old caravan they could contact him on 01905 428129.