A FOUR-year campaign to enable a Vale man paralysed in an accident to live at home rather than in hospital is close to a happy conclusion.

Barrie Such, aged 57, a former BT technician from Badsey, was injured when he fell from a telegraph pole while working in Broadway in 1993.

Following a period of being moved around between home, hospitals and nursing homes, while health authority and social services chiefs wrangled over who should pay for his accommodation, he has spent the past four years in Evesham Community Hospital.

Mr Such's wife, Wendy, battled tirelessly on his behalf in her efforts for him to be returned home permanently.

When the property next to the couple's home in Seward Road unexpectedly became available, it was bought by Evesham and Pershore Housing Association and is being specially adapted for Mr Such, a tetraplegic, to live in.

People involved in the campaign to help him will attend a ceremony today in Seward Road to mark his eventual homecoming, with a date still to be arranged before he moves in.

Among those due to be present is Vale MP Peter Luff, who took up the Suchs' cause, which was highlighted in Prime Minister's Question Time.

Mrs Such, 50, said the past few years had been "very, very stressful" for her and her husband and there had been a lot of heartache.

She added that Mr Such was "really looking forward" to moving back home, saying: "This is what has kept him going."

The Seward Road property that Mr Such will move into cost EPHA around £170,000 to buy and refurbish, bolstered by a local authority grant of nearly £100,000 from Wychavon District Council.

The council also provided aids and adaptations funding for specialist disabled facilities.

Richard Williams, EPHA's chairman, said: "We are thrilled to be able to provide this home for Mr Such."