THERE is no money left in the county's "wheelchair budget" - leaving accident victims and ill people across Wyre Forest struggling to cope.

The budget set aside for wheelchairs for the year 2002/3 - totalling some £700,000 - was used up by the end of October, said Eamonn Kelly, in charge of the countywide wheelchair service.

Anybody now requiring a new or replacement wheelchair will have to wait until April, buy their own or try to borrow one from the British Red Cross charity.

The situation came to light when disabled David Perkins, 57, who is paralysed from the chest down following a swimming accident in 1983, broke both his manual wheelchairs within days of each other.

When he contacted the wheelchair service to ask for a replacement he was told: "Sorry - you'll have to wait until April."

Mr Perkins, who weighs about 20 stone so requires a hevy duty wheelchair, said: "This is not acceptable - I'm disgusted."

The NHS service is run on behalf of the county's primary care trusts by Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT, led by chief executive Mr Kelly.

He said: "It is an embarrassing and indefensible situation. The budget set aside for purchasing wheelchairs is spent and new money will not be available until April.

"We are working to try to resolve the situation. We have received lots and lots of complaints."

The trust took over the service this year from social services. Historically there has always been a struggle to meet demand, particularly from Christmas onwards.

Attempts to get extra funds from the primary health trusts had failed because all are currently facing financial problems, due mainly to increased prescription spending, added Mr Kelly. "We estimate we need about £150,000 extra to meet demand. It is a far from ideal situation."

Thousands of people across the county rely on NHS wheelchairs each year following accidents or due to illness, disease or old age.

Sue Hawkins, service manager for medical loans at the county Red Cross branch, said people were increasingly turning to the charity for help because they could not get one through the NHS or social services.

"This problem occurs every year and we end up doing what we can to plug the gap. We cannot help people long-term but can offer short-term loans of up to three months."

The charity had attempted to help Mr Perkins, of Aster Avenue, but the wheelchair offered to him was too light.

He is currently using a decade-old chair of his own in the house but is concerned it is also unsafe. He has an electric wheelchair to use outdoors.

"I've never had any trouble in the past. I'm supposed to be entitled to a wheelchair and that's what I should be getting," he added.

Anybody who has borrowed a wheelchair in the past from the NHS or social services which they no longer require is urged to contact the wheelchair service on 01527 507040. The Red Cross can be contacted on 01562 823385.