A survivor of the Thalidomide scandal is calling on the Government for more financial help to help her cover the soaring cost of her health needs.

Lorraine Mercer, from Haywards Heath, who turns 51 today, was born without arms and legs after her mother was prescribed the drug while pregnant.

It was given to thousands of women between 1958 and 1961 to ease morning sickness before its devastating effects were discovered.

Ms Mercer is one of more than 460 surviving children struggling to deal with increasing health problems as they enter middle age.

The Government agreed to pay out an annual grant to victims over a three-year period but that has ended this year.

The Thalidomide Trust is now calling for the payment, which works out at about £17,000 a year, to be extended indefinitely.

Ms Mercer’s arms and legs did not develop and she has defied medical odds over the years.

However she says her body is deteriorating just through the effort of getting through each day.

She is losing her eyesight, she is deaf in one ear and has had serious back and shoulder pain.

She also has to have oxygen next to her bed in case of emergencies.

The trust says Thalidomide victims are facing increasing problems and often need to carry out expensive renovations to make life easier in the home.

Ms Mercer used her grant to replace the flooring in her flat, which was worn down by her heavy electric wheelchair.

The chair itself lasts only about three years and costs £8,000 to replace.

She said: “The grant is absolutely vital and it should definitely continue.

“Myself and others like me are going to need even more care and support as we get older.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The Thalidomide Grant is a three-year pilot, running from April 2010 until March 2013, to explore how the health needs of Thalidomide survivors and other small groups of geographically dispersed patients can best be met in the longer term.

“We are aware of the need to provide clarity for Thalidomide survivors and their families in good time before the end of the pilot process. The department has already met with members of the National Advisory Council to the Thalidomide Trust and is considering the best way forward for the future of the grant.

“The Minister for Care Services has committed to meeting the Thalidomide Trust soon to discuss this further.”