A Sussex pensioner is suing a council, claiming her husband's life was ruined when he tripped on a paving stone.

Bill Landers has spent the past seven years in hospital and has no prospect of ever leaving.

His wife Lilly, 75, said she wants justice for her husband and is taking West Sussex County Council to court, claiming it did not properly maintain the pavement where he fell.

If she wins, she intends buying new equipment for the Worthing hospital which has cared for Bill since the accident.

Bill, a 77-year-old retired hotelier, broke his hip and leg in the fall in Heene Road, Worthing, in 1993.

A relatively straightforward operation at Southlands Hospital, Shoreham, turned to tragedy when Mr Landers suffered a devastating stroke, turning a fit and active man into what his wife calls a "vegetable".

Unable to speak or walk, Bill spends his time in bed looking at the TV. His wife makes two trips a day from her home in Offington Lane, Worthing, to feed and help care for him at Salvington Lodge priority care hospital in Arundel Road, Worthing.

She has used her life savings to sue the council but insists money is not the main aim of her action.

She said: "If you could see the dignity my husband has lost . . . I'm sure he would not want to live like this.

"He was a wonderful husband, a wonderful father and it breaks my heart to see him like this. I want justice for him."

Her case, due to be heard at Brighton County Court on Tuesday, is being contested by West Sussex County Council. A council spokesman said: "We are unable to comment asa court case is pending."