MO Davidson thought she was going to die when she was told she had emphysema three years ago.

The 62-year-old did not know much about her illness and had no idea how to live with it, until she was referred to Worcestershire's pulmonary rehabilitation service.

"I thought I might as well go home and die," she said. "I needed 24-hour oxygen and a nebuliser.

"I was at rock bottom - I used to cry when I went out shopping with my husband, and people would look at me."

But Mrs Davidson, of Hayslan Road, Malvern, was coaxed out of her depression by the pulmonary rehabilitation service, which helps people suffering from breathing problems.

"They taught me exercises to help my breathing, and told me what to eat and what emphysema was," she said.

"They showed me how to live with my disease. They're the reason I'm still alive."

Mrs Davidson has now come to terms with her disease and is looking forward to a holiday in Scotland, something she would never have considered when she first discovered she had emphysema.

However, this service, which costs £28,000 a year, is threatened with the axe as South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust looks to sort out its financial problems.

At the PCT's board meeting in Pershore on Tuesday, director of clinical services June Patel said one pulmonary nurse was employed by the PCT.

"We acknowledge the impact this practitioner has, but the funding isn't there at the moment," she said.

"We are planning to recommend it ceases."

Mrs Davidson's husband, Peter, said this was "the worst news ever".

"When my wife came out of hospital, she was in a wheelchair," he said. "Now she's an active member of the Malvern Breathe Easy Group.

"The rehabilitation has made such a difference. She has never had to go back to hospital. Without the service, some of these people would be in hospital beds or visiting their GPs all the time.

"It's helping to save the NHS money. Why do they want to get rid of it?"