OLD soldier Dennis Fleming is facing the toughest time of his life when he deserves to be taking things easy.

After serving for more than 40 years in the Army, he desperately needs surgery on a knee which is causing him a huge amount of pain and has rendered him virtually housebound.

The really sad part of Mr Fleming's story is that he has found a solution to his problems but, it seems, bureaucracy is thwarting his efforts.

Doctors in Germany have told him they are willing to perform the operation, and help him, literally, to get back on his feet.

This process is established and has been followed by others, some living in Wiltshire.

This is another case of health care by postcode. This is a lottery where the standard of help comes down not to what you need but to where you happen to live. It's a crazy situation and one that should be sorted out.

What sort of world do we live in when we drive a valued member of our society to even contemplate throwing away the military medals he should be wearing with pride, because he is so disgusted with the country he served so well?

Something should be done fast.