A MAN who suffers from multiple sclerosis says that moving hundreds of miles to Greenock has changed his life.

Colin Campbell, a former IT consultant, packed up his second floor flat in Inverness last year and made the 200-mile switch to a supported accommodation complex here.

Colin, 57, has primary progressive MS meaning his symptoms steadily deteriorated and he now needs a walking frame and a wheelchair to get around.

When he was diagnosed Colin requested ground floor accommodation in Inverness but after being told there was none available he was left a prisoner in his own home.

The Housing Options organisation then stepped in and offered him the flat in Greenock.

Colin said: "Where I am now couldn't be better.

"I have great accommodation, great views over the water and more freedom.

"Ending up here was really fortunate, I was dicing with death going up and down the stairs before and now I can sit and look out at the seafront and enjoy the fresh air without worry."

Colin believes that more needs to be done to help people with a disability find a suitable home.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) says disabled people are being failed and they have called on the Scottish Government to produce a national strategy to ensure there is an adequate supply of houses.

Colin agrees that more needs to be done to find people suitable accommodation.

He said: "It is a tragedy that people are really unwell and there is nowhere for them to stay.

"It would be nice if more was done to help.

"I didn't mind moving to Greenock, where I am is much better but it's not for everyone.

"I am seriously ill, was two flights of stairs up and now I can sit in a garden but not everyone is as fortunate."

The EHRC have outline a number of steps to halt the housing crisis, including building at least 10 per cent of all new housing to accessible homes standards.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “Housing is a priority for this government and we firmly believe everyone should have a home that meets their needs.

"We are already taking action to ensure everyone has access to a home that is the right size, in the right location or flexible enough to suit any requirements they may have in the future.

“As part of our action plan to 2021 will ask local authorities to report annually on the supply of wheelchair accessible housing in their area.

“We are working with health and social care partnerships, disability organisations, and the housing sector to ensure those in need of any adaptations to their home can access those services as and when they need them."