A TERMINALLY ill homeless pensioner says he has been “left out on the street with cancer”.

Brian Harrington-Ward, from Brighton, said he has been struggling since his wife died from lung cancer 12 years ago at the age of 54.

He was so upset he left their home as he could not bear to be there without her.

Brian, 67, said: “My wife Jackie used to own an all-nighter cafe and I drove the forklift truck at the old market.

“We rented a beautiful home nearby, but after she died I couldn’t stand to be there any more. I tried sleeping on the sofa, but her smell was still there.

“I was with her for 28 years. She was a beautiful treasure and I loved her.”

Brian says she asked him to spread her ashes on The Level “so he could go and visit her”.

He said: “She would have liked the skaters.

“We could not have children so she would have liked that.”

Brian said he was “not looking for a house or a flat, just a room” as he cannot rest on the streets as it was not safe.

He said: “I get tired in the afternoon sometimes but you can’t have a nap. You have to sleep with one eye open. It’s wearing me down.”

Brian has been offered emergency accommodation in Eastbourne and Hastings but turned it down.

He said: “I’m a Brighton boy, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been in this city for 55 years. How can I make new friends at my age? Everyone I know is here. My wife’s ashes are spread at The Level.”

Brian spends his days near St Peter’s Church and sleeps outside a shop in Bond Street.

He said he has agreed with its owners to keep it safe from damage or vandalism.

He said three months ago he had cancerous lumps removed from his tongue and testicle during an operation at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. But doctors had told him his illness was terminal.

Brian said: “We are in a recession and I know that but they have to look after the elderly.

“My mother taught me to have a bit of compassion in my heart. There is always someone worse off than you.

“So I will stand tall. Winners never quit and quitters never win, and I’m a winner. All I’m asking is for a room.”

Brian said he receives a pension and had never begged.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, we work with partners across the city to help people who are sleeping rough to move away from the streets and into services that can help them rebuild their lives.

“Services include outreach workers, homeless assessment hub, night shelters, and 700 supported accommodation beds for people with complex needs.

“When housing people in temporary accommodation, we sometimes have to use accommodation outside of the city because of the pressure on local housing.”