In January he altered his garden so he could sit out in it and enjoy the sunshine.

But now the council are demanding the alterations at his council house in Sefton Drive, Scale Hall, be removed.

Stephen, 25, has Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive illness leading to weakness and wasting of muscles, increasing loss of mobility, and difficulties with speech.

He sought permission from the council to alter his garden to allow wheelchair access and following several meetings was given verbal permission.

Tina Stephenson, Stephen's assistant, said: "He could not get into the garden before. They gave him permission to go up to the boundaries of his bit of garden and so he did.

"Now the council have been back to see it and say it all has to come out. We haven't heard anything off them since. It's not fair that he should have to watch his neighbours sunbathe while he is stuck indoors.
"The neighbours have said they don't mind it and think it would be a shame to pull it all out."

A city council spokesman said: "This is a council housing bungalow which has a large grassed communal area to the rear maintained by the council.

"Our tenancy conditions require the tenant to obtain permission before undertaking any significant alterations. Officers visited to discuss his proposals, and to agree with him what works could be undertaken.

"It was explained to him that his original plans were too extensive, and verbal agreement was reached he could only extend the immediate flagged area behind the bungalow by a limited amount.

"The alterations subsequently made are totally out of keeping with the area, encroaching on land that does not form part of his tenancy, and far exceeds what was originally agreed."

If Mr Nelson doesn't reinstate the garden, the council could undertake the work and then charge him for it.