A WAR veteran is suing Weaver Vale Housing Trust after a fall which he claims left him with smashed teeth and severe cuts and bruises.

The 92-year-old man, who was injured outside his sheltered accommodation in Northwich, blames the Trust for his fall and has employed a Manchester personal injury firm to pursue the non-profit making organisation through the courts.

The man, who does not want to be named, said: 'It was very nasty, and I then had to spend all night on a trolley in a hospital corridor waiting to be seen by the doctors because they were very busy.

'I thought that this would have been easily sorted out and I really do not want to cause a fuss, but I had no teeth and had to cope with out of date glasses for more than 10 weeks after the accident. I really thought that Weaver Vale would have provided me with more support.'

He claims he fell because of the size of a step which was causing him difficulty. The veteran alleges he had asked housing bosses to do something about the nine-inch step outside his home, which he says led to the fall which left him with severe cuts to his face and hands, as well as smashed teeth and broken glasses.

His solicitor Emma Wyness, of Fentons Solicitors, said: 'On several occasions this elderly man asked Weaver Vale to reduce the size of the step as he was having difficulty getting up and down it.

'Nothing was done to rectify this and as a result he was very badly injured. Following the accident he continually tried to contact Weaver Vale so that they could provide compensation to cover the costs of having to buy new glasses and dentures, but the Trust failed to respond.'

Ms Wyness said the Trust, which is responsible for all the former council houses in Vale Royal, ensured the step was made safe the morning after the accident.

'This gentleman has been treated appallingly by a Trust that purports to provide the very highest standard of accommodation for elderly residents,' she added.

'The accident could have been easily avoided and, as a result of poor response times to repairs, he has not only suffered a great deal, but has also had to cover the cost of replacing his glasses and dentures.'

Court proceedings have been put into motion, but the case has yet to go to trial.

Joanne Watkins, solicitor at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, said: 'We are unable to comment on this matter at this stage due to ongoing court proceedings.'