A WAR pensioner denied NHS chiropody treatment is outraged after being told he should "get a neighbour" to cut his toenails.

Ernest Parker, 80, of Heron Court, Bromley, was a trooper with the East Surrey Infantry which fought in Africa, Italy and Austria from 1941 to 1945 and lost his hearing due to the persistent gunfire.

His eyesight has been deteriorating over time because of glaucoma and in April he was registered partially sighted and had to stop driving.

Mr Parker cannot see to cut his own nails and his wife, Edna, also 80, is disabled and unable to help.

The father-of-one said: "It took three months and several assessments before the doctor turned round and told me, 'Sorry we're overwhelmed, there's nothing we can do for you'.

"He suggested my daughter do it but she lives miles away. Then he said, 'Can't you get a neighbour to do it?'

"I wouldn't lower myself to do that, I fought for my country. It made me feel so low. It's degrading; you would never ask a neighbour to do that."

Sue Sulis, of Bromley Community Care Protection Group, said: "I think it's shameful as we approach Remembrance Day a war pensioner like Mr Parker should be treated like this.

"It's humiliating to be told to actually look for charity from neighbours and who's to say a neighbour would be willing to provide this service?

"He's being denied services which are crucial for mobility and well being. All the time people who made real sacrifices for all of us are having their services eroded."

A Bromley PCT spokesman said: "Bromley PCT has already been alerted to this regrettable circumstance and has arranged for Mr and Mrs Parker to receive treatment within the next two weeks at a convenient location.

"We will reassess their continuing needs for foot care taking into account their individual circumstances, and agree with them how we can best meet their long term needs.

"Bromley PCT is extremely sorry for the inappropriate advice Mr Parker appears to have received with regard to his podiatry needs, and we would like to offer him and his wife our most sincere apologies.

"We are also taking every necessary step to ensure the advice given by all our podiatrists in future takes full account of the individual circumstances of our clients."