DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott must find more money to help older and disabled people live in their own homes, warned Worcestershire housing experts.

Malvern Hills District Council's housing officers wrote to Mr Prescott, the Minister responsible for the Disabled Facilities Grant, asking for a more generous contribution to the fund.

The Disabled Facilities Grant pays for things like wheelchair ramps and walk-in safety showers and baths. Sixty per cent of it comes from central government and the remainder from local council.

The grants are mandatory and Keith Parry head of housing, revenue and technical services at Malvern Hills District Council, said demand always outstripped resources.

Contribution

"We could help more people with this if the Government could be more generous with its contribution," said Mr Parry.

"One of the advantages of the Disabled Facilities Grant Scheme is to help people stay out of hospital.

"This is one of the most important services which helps to keep older people in their own homes, and with the average age of the population increasing it will be even more vital in years ahead, particularly in an area like Malvern which is a popular retirement spot."

In Malvern, the Disabled Facilities Grant is worth £260,000 a year, £156,000 of which comes from the Government.

It is the second time in two months the council has written to the Deputy Prime Minister.

In February, the council protested against pulling the plug on £1m a year Malvern scheme to help young people step on to the property ladder.