A disabled man says he is being refused NHS treatment for a chronic condition.

Maxwell Warne, 64, of Cooksbridge Road, Brighton, suffers from lymphoedema, a build-up of fluid which causes extreme, painful swelling.

His legs are so swollen he cannot find shoes to fit him and he rarely leaves home.

Mr Warne's doctor has said he needs a specialist lymphoedema nurse but the nearest one working in the NHS is in Worthing.

Because Mr Warne lives in Brighton, which comes under a different Primary Care Trust, his only option is a private nurse who charges £60 an hour.

Mr Warne said: "That is my entire pension for the week and I cannot afford it.

"I feel the Government and the healthcare service are discriminating against me as a disabled person."

Mr Warne's condition is so severe his legs have become infected and leak fluid constantly.

He has had to give up his positions as chairman of the Whitehawk Disabled Association and of the estate's residents' association.

He also suffers from arthritis, angina and asthma and is on a range of painkilling tablets.

Two specialist nurses at the Royal Sussex County Hospital help to change his dressings but they cannot deal with the root cause of the problem.

Mr Warne said: "If I have to, I am going to protest outside the Labour conference. I want Tony Blair to tell me why I can't have a nurse on the NHS."

His MP, Des Turner, said: "I have asked the PCT to take action to ensure nurses are available."

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove PCT said: "Access to lymphoedema services is limited but is available to diagnosed severe cases, which can be referred to the specialists if appropriate.

"It's a situation that is under constant review."