by Rachael Woods

A despairing mother has described how her disabled teenage son has become a prisoner in his own home because his new wheelchair will not fit through the front door.

Sheena Horton, 51, is locked in a dispute with Canterbury City Council over adaptations to the family home in Littlebourne Road, Canterbury, that mean her son has been unable to venture outside unaided for more than six months.

Fifteen-year-old Tristin Horton, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has been forced to move about his house on his knees because he has outgrown his old wheelchair.

A new electric wheelchair is available for Tristin but it cannot be collected as it will not fit through the front door.

Ms Horton said: "Tristin needs a wheelchair every day to do absolutely everything.

"Without it, his only method of moving around is to crawl about on his knees and this is causing problems as his knees are becoming infected."

Soldiers from nearby Howe Barracks have helped the family by carrying Tristin when asked.

A housing occupational therapy assessment recommended changes to the home, which Ms Horton is trying to agree with Canterbury City Council.

The dispute began nearly five years ago over the changes, which include the need for a double extension to the home to accommodate a bigger bathroom and bedroom, an accessible kitchen and a new front entrance.

Tristin is a pupil at St Anselm's School in Canterbury but his mother says he has been unable to attend lessons since February in the lead-up to his crucial GCSE year.

He has also missed appointments with doctors, opticians and his dentist.

Ms Horton says the council is proposing a back door entrance onto Avon Close, to allow Tristin access, as it costs £20,000 less than adaptations to the front of the building, but she says this would take Tristin directly onto the road itself and it is unsafe.

She said: "All it would cost for Tristin to lead a normal life is £20,000 but the council are saying the money would be better spent elsewhere."

Larissa Laing, head of housing at Canterbury Council, said: "We have been in regular contact with the Horton family over the last year to try and resolve this matter.

"The council has proposed a solution which involves building an extension and altering a fence at the side of the property to make access much easier.

"The family would like us to build two extensions but this would involve taking money away from schemes for other families that are equally deserving.

"We remain in discussion with the family and hope to agree a way forward soon so that Tristan can live as full a life as possible."