A GILLINGHAM man has won a long-standing dispute with the department of Work and Pensions.

Michael Easson, 56, of Lobelia Close, had been fighting the benefits department for more than six years after he became too ill to continue working.

Mr Easson, a former carpenter, suffers with depression and various other medical conditions. He takes nearly 20 tablets a day and often gets side effects from the medication he is on.

Last week his Labour ward councillor Rehman Chishti attended a tribunal with him in Ashford and won the case.

Mr Easson said: "I've spent the past six years trying to get incapacity benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions. I have a family to support and it is something I'm entitled to and Cllr Chishti could see I had case and helped me win it.

"I owe him a lot, I think I may have given up if I'd not won this time. I'd just like to say a big thank you to him."

Cllr Chishti said: "I was delighted to be able to use my skills as a barrister to help win Mr Easson's case. He is the chairman of the Vineries Residents Association and as a result of that tries to put a lot into improving his community.

"So I was pleased to be able to help him out and give him something back in return. If any of my other constituents need help in this way, I'd be happy to help them too."