A DYING Worcester man is overjoyed after housing chiefs made a U-turn over their bid to evict him from his family home.

After pressure from Clive Grosvenor-Davies' neighbours, Worcester City Council has now given him his own tenancy agreement - which means he can stay in the home he was born in 44 years ago.

"I'm overjoyed and relieved," said Mr Grosvenor-Davies, whose doctor says he has three years to live.

"But I'm now on anti-depressants because of all the stress I've been through. The council handled my case extremely badly and it's left me feeling very upset. I don't know whether I can trust them or not."

The council originally wanted Mr Grosvenor-Davies to leave his home in Himbleton Road, St John's, where he was living alone following the death of his mother.

Housing officers said the three-bedroomed property was needed for city families "desperate" for homes.

Disgusted neighbours rallied round and organised a petition pleading with the council to reconsider.

And the authority has now admitted it made a mistake when it tried to evict him - and may change its policy as a result of the case.

"We made a mistake over the tenancy and we admit it and we are very, very sorry for any distress," said chief housing officer Peter John.

Worcester City councillor Mike Layland insisted the case went before the community services committee so that nothing like it could happen again.

"These matters must be considered on their merit and with sympathy and compassion," he said.

"I hope we have all learnt something from this sad case."

Mr Grosvenor-Davies, who has cirrhosis of the liver, cannot work and depends on his neighbours to look after him.

He has always said he would rather die than live elsewhere.

The U-turn came days after Councillor Richard Bird said he believed it would be breaking the controversial Human Rights Act - introduced last month - if it forced him to leave.

Mr Grosvenor-Davies added that he wanted to thank his neighbours and councillors for their efforts.