BLIND pensioner Harold Pitwell was left lying in the gutter when his cane buckled and snapped after he tripped over a stray wheelie bin in the middle of a path.

Mr Pitwell, 81, of Parsonage Close, High Wycombe, says getting around High Wycombe is a 'living hell' for pensioners and those with bad sight. And he fears training a new guide dog will be hampered because of the chaotic streets.

Overgrown grass verges, chipped kerbs and paths, bins blocking pathways and icy paths left over from cars being washed are a real hazard, says Mr Pitwell.

"It's an absolute disgrace," he said. "Nobody seems to understand how difficult it is for us."

Mr Pitwell, who grew up in Aylesbury, returned to the county after his wife died last year.

And he says the streets of his village in Herefordshire were nowhere near as dangerous.

A spokesman for Bucks County Council said: "As soon as we are told about potholes or hazardous highways we sort it out immediately. In town centres we have workers looking out for potholes. We suggest Mr Pitwell contacts us about any safety issues."

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council said contracted bin collectors return bins to the edge of customers' properties. It is house-owners' responsibility to make sure they are in a safe position.

Alison Lewis, High Wycombe's Access for All said: "Navigating around town centres is always difficult. Potholes are huge issues. Service providers need to keep street signage away from main paths, and not put them in different places each week. We are constantly in communication with the town centre manager."