PENSIONER Michael Parry and his children have raised tens of thousands of pounds for Lydney Hospital. But they've been told they cannot use it.

A new ruling means many Foresters living along the Welsh border can only have hospital treatment in Wales.

Michael and his family live in St Briavels.

During the past 22 years they have raised up to £60,000 for good causes such as Lydney Hospital and Cheltenham's Cobalt Unit, in memory of Michael's wife Janet who died from cancer.

Several years ago the family added Hope for Tomorrow to the list after Michael's daughter Adele developed breast cancer and saw first hand the need for a mobile chemotherapy unit in the Forest.

"We raised the money because we wanted to put something back," said Michael, 72.

"But because of this we will never see the benefit of any of it.

I was gutted when I heard the news and angry that they had done it in such a backhanded way."

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