The heartbroken wife of a man with terminal cancer has begged a council to help rehome them so he can spend his final days with his family.

Ashley Jones 30, has been battling bowel and liver cancer for four months and despite undergoing chemotherapy, the cancer has spread to his lungs.

Now wheelchair bound, Mr Jones is receiving palliative care in St Helena Hospice, Colchester, and is unable to return to his privately rented, second floor flat in Conies Road, Halstead, because there is no lift.

It is unknown how long Mr Jones has left to live and his family are desperately trying to make his final wish to return home happen.

He and wife Victoria have applied to Braintree Council to be housed in a ground floor property.

However, despite being pushed to the top category of the housing list, the couple have been told they must follow the same procedures as everyone else and wait their turn for a property to become available.

Mrs Jones said: “I’m staying up until midnight most days trying to bid on anything that comes up.

“We looked at private renting but it is either too expensive or its first floor flats and Ash just can’t do that. We went out the other day and it proved he just can’t walk anymore, he hasn’t got the strength.

“It’s his final wish to be at home with his family and pets.

“We have a lot of friends and family living in Halstead who could all see him and he could even get out in his wheelchair and visit our son at the cemetery.

“It’s crazy because we don’t know how long he has got left but the council have told us there is nothing else they can do.”

Family friend Diane Butcher, 53, added: “We think this is totally unfair considering that no one knows how long Ash has left to live.

“We cannot understand why the council housing department will not show some compassion in their case.”

Mr Jones was first diagnosed with cancer last November.

The news came as a double blow to him and his wife following the tragic death of their five-month old son, George last February.

George was born with his bowel, liver and stomach growing outside of his body and underwent major surgery.

Despite the operation being successful, George sadly later died.

A spokesman for Braintree Council said it was unable to comment on individual cases due to data protection.