Hundreds of people have supported a paralysed man’s campaign to stay in his home.

Simon Gray, 42, is currently living at Ernest Kleinwort Court in Burgess Hill, but may be forced to move to a bungalow in Peacehaven.

A petition to support his campaign to stay in his home has gained more than 850 signatures.

Mr Gray, who was left paralysed after breaking his neck in an accident four years ago, said he is not ready to leave the support network he has built up in Burgess Hill.

Mr Gray has battled anxiety and depression, and said it took him 12 months to settle in at the centre, but now he must move away from his friends.

He said: “I’m terrified of being by myself and the isolation really scares me.

“Not only that, but I’ve made friends here in the centre and in the local community and it’s taking me away from them too.”

Simon added that for many of his friends, travelling to Peacehaven in order to see him will be very difficult.

The petition was set up by his friend Sharmila Lyons, and they hope that it will reach 1,000 signatures soon.

Mr Gray said he is “rapidly running out of time”, and a final decision will be made next week.

He added: “The support I have received is humbling, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has signed.”

East Sussex County Council said that moving to Peacehaven will give Mr Gray more independence, but he said: “Moving to the new place will mean carers coming to see me four times a day and will in fact make me less independent.”

A council spokesman said: “Although we are not at liberty to discuss the details of individual cases due to laws of confidentiality, we consider that we have acted appropriately in this case and are meeting our statutory duty to provide care and support.”

To support Mr Gray’s petition, visit bit.ly/savesimon