A PENSIONER trapped in Worcester's Newtown Hospital for two months because of a cash crisis in social services says she has been driven to breaking point.

Eighty-five-year-old Audrey Brown has now been transferred to Evesham Community Hospital, but has no idea how long she will have to wait for a nursing home place.

Her son Andrew Brown says she has lost her privacy and is being driven mad by the delay.

Worcestershire County Council's social services says it does not have the funding to pay for a nursing home place for her as it battles to balance the books.

Earlier this year, the department revealed that it was heading for a £4.6m deficit unless urgent action was taken.

Cuts and a £1m cash injection from county council reserves have now eased the crisis but money remains extremely tight.

Mrs Brown had been staying in sheltered accommodation at Cherwell Close, Tolladine, but had to be treated at Ronkswood after suffering a fall in August.

A month later she had recovered, but the cash shortage meant she had to stay on at Newtown Hospital.

"I take the point about the possible £4.6m deficit facing social services," said her son who lives in Keats Avenue, Barbourne.

"But my mother is slowly going demented. She is getting no privacy and this is no way to end her life. She said if she could walk out she would jump in the river.

"She is occupying a bed which should have a sick person in it."

A social services spokesman said they were doing all they could.

"We sympathise with each and every case but unfortunately it comes down to a lack of money," said the spokesman.

"But it is a national issue. Many authorities across the country are struggling but we are hoping to get a little bit more money in the local government assessment.

"We remain optimistic for this month when the Government announces its budget."

Mr Brown said that his mother's one-bedroom flat was still empty and could not be passed onto someone else until she was in a nursing home.

"My father fought in Burma for three years and thank God he is dead because if he could see my mother now he would be devastated," he added.