A PENSIONER has blasted the DVLA for losing his driving licence – leaving him unable to drive to important cancer check-ups at hospital.

Stewart Burston-Gover was forced to renew his driving licence ahead of his 70th birthday – a move enforced by the DVLA when drivers hit the milestone age.

The government agency asked for his full driving licence, four photos, an original birth certificate and other documents to prove he was British-born.

But staff cannot find any of his paperwork since receiving it in December.

Now, despite being insured and taxed, he cannot drive anywhere because his licence has technically expired.

The DVLA told him that his documents could be as far away as Ireland.

Mr Burston-Gover, who owns Grandad’s Bike Shop in Elm Grove, Brighton, said: “What do you think about this for government efficiency?

“I’m a bit ill these days and I might soon need to go to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London for further investigations into cancer.

“It’s a few trips a week and it will cost £200 a day in taxis. As it stands right now I can’t drive anywhere.

“They asked for my original birth certificate as copies aren’t accepted.

“But it’s most valuable because it was part of a 40-year struggle to find the true nature of my father’s death at the end of the Second World War.”

The DVLA said it was not prepared to comment on Mr Burston-Gover’s case – but confirmed staff had called him.

Mr Burston-Gover added: “They called me when The Argus made contact with them and told me that if the postman tried to deliver it and had no response it gets sent to Ireland for safe keeping.

“But they’re not even sure if they’ve tried to deliver it. What a mess.

“If my licence was blotted with points then I might understand the delay but I’ve had a clean licence since I passed my test aged 17.”

The DVLA said it will continue to search for the documents.