A pensioner with terminal cancer says he has become a prisoner in his first-floor home because his landlord will not install a stairlift.

Douglas Goldsmith, 82, has lived at Dennis Cadman House in the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, with his wife, June, 80, for the past 12 years.

In January, as Mr Goldsmith’s health deteriorated, he contacted Housing 21, which manages the block, asking for a stairlift.

Other blocks already have lifts and stairlifts.

Today, eight months later, Mr Goldsmith, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, is still without a lifeline to the outside world.

Chatham and Aylesford MP, Jonathan Shaw, (Lab) who is helping the couple, branded the delay as “unacceptable”.

Mr Goldsmith, who served in Palestine and Cyprus in the late 1940s with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, said: “I can use a wheelchair to get outside, and my son comes over to help me.

“But I cannot make the stairs. I also have heart problems and trying to get downstairs would leave me breathless and with terrible chest pains.

“I cannot leave my flat. I’m very down in the dumps.”

Mr Shaw was told in a letter from Housing 21 in March that a fire safety officer would inspect the stairwell, and that a stairlift could be fitted.

After hearing nothing for months, he was told in another letter in July that the employee no longer worked for the association and that no agreement had been made to fit the stairlift.

Housing 21 has suggested the couple move to a ground floor flat and an assessment from an occupational therapist, in relation to the move, has been ordered.

But Mr Goldsmith said the move “would be the end of me.I don’t want to go.”

His son, Peter, who lives in Sittingbourne, added: “For a man who has worked hard all his life and never asked for help, he is being treated very badly.”

Mr Shaw urged Housing 21 to review its plan to move the couple.

“All the other courts have disabled access and I cannot see any negatives in installing a stairlift that could benefit the home and other residents,” said the MP.

“The incompetence and lack of action have left Mr Goldsmith frustrated and isolated.”

Housing 21 spokesman Ian Lewsey said: “Respecting confidentiality we are unable to comment directly about the tenant at Dennis Cadman House.

“We are looking at all the possible outcomes to ensure the best option for the tenant.

“Housing 21 will consult with the tenant, medical authorities and others to resolve this matter as soon as possible.”