A disabled man in his early thirties may be allowed to live in Crammer Court, Devizes, a housing scheme for people aged over 60.

The town council had objected to Sarsen Housing Association taking the man because it believed it was not suitable to house someone so young with elderly people.

But after hearing that Mr J Merrett was completely disabled following a road accident over two years ago, councillors agreed to drop their objection to Sarsen's application to vary the age restriction of tenants at the sheltered housing scheme.

Stephen May, a senior housing officer at Kennet District Council, told town councillors last week: "This gentleman is completely disabled and is without the power of speech.

"He requires round the clock 24 hour care and will have his own care package provided by social services.

"We are in the process of building a purpose built bungalow for this gentleman but that takes time.

"He has been in hospital in Salisbury for over two years and Crammer Court provides extra care.

"Under our proposal he will have the use of one of the flats for a temporary period of no more than two years.

"This application relates solely to this gentleman and we are not setting a precedent in any sense."

Mr May said the man was from

Devizes.

He added: "We have been aware of his case for more than a year now and Crammer Court has produced the first realistic opportunity to house him."

Kennet's regulatory committee is being recommended today to approve the variation of the age restriction to enable Mr Merrett to live at Crammer Court for a temporary period.