A DISABLED former darts player wants a sign so people can find his hidden bungalow but says housing chiefs have told him 'pay for it yourself'.
Nick Cook of Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester says his bungalow is screened by a big brick wall and that visitors regularly struggle to find his house.
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The 56-year-old, who has lived at the property for seven years, says he is sometimes forced to stand in the rain on his crutches to flag down visitors.
Now the former darts player, nicknamed 'Big Bear', wants a sign on the offending wall so people can find his bungalow and that of his next-door neighbour.
However, he says his landlords, Platform Housing, told him over the phone he must pay £150 if he wants a sign. He is registered as disabled and on benefits, claiming Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and says he would struggle to afford it.
However, Platform has now said they will look to see if a sign can be fitted but would need to visit the site first.
Tolladine-born Mr Cook, a former captain of the Maple Leaf pub darts team, does not think it is fair he does not have a sign, given that residents of nearby Cranham Drive flats all have their own signs.
The former Dyson Perrins pupil thinks the sign would help people find him more easily so visitors, parcels, letters, delivery drivers or even emergency vehicles do not get lost.
At the moment, the father-of-four, who can only get about with the aid of crutches, resorts to standing in the car park in the middle of the street so Amazon drivers, delivery lorries and takeaway couriers can find his address.
Mr Cook suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), rheumatoid arthritis in his knees, diabetes and has a pin in his leg following a 'bad break' he suffered in 1999.
One leg is now three inches shorter than the other and he wears a built-up boot to help him get about more easily.
"I feel annoyed when I have been here so long and you're not getting stuff delivered to your premises. It's disgraceful.
"Sometimes I'm standing in the cold and wet on my crutches.
"I have to wait in the middle of the road, in the car park, so people can see me."
Cllr Jill Desayrah, who has been supporting Mr Cook, said: "This is a mistake. Come on Platform Housing. Do the right thing."
Lisa Fairlie, Director of Housing Operations at Platform Housing Group, said “We are sorry to hear that Mr Cook is experiencing problems with people finding his home, due to its tucked away location.
"Our local Neighbourhood Officer will visit Mr Cook to carry out a visual inspection outside of his home to see where we can arrange for a sign to be fitted.”
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