A YEADON pensioner is due to have his case heard at the European Court of Human Rights after a vital operation was cancelled once again.

Ronnie Holliday - who is in constant pain - has had three operation dates at Wharfedale Hospital, Otley, cancelled and claims his human rights have been infringed because he can't be treated abroad.

The 71-year-old, who needs a hip and double knee replacement has received a case number from the European Court, telling him he is in line for his case to be heard.

Mr Holliday was due to have a hip operation in Wharfedale Hospital at the end of March after it was cancelled in February, but he has been told he will have to wait another month.

He was initially given two dates when the operation could take place - March 26 or April 1 - but was later told both days are full, and he now has to wait until May.

Mr Holliday, of Springwell Close, is finding it increasingly difficult to stay mobile and he and his wife Jean rely on his car to get around.

But he is determined to continue the campaign for people to be treated abroad if operations can be arranged more quickly.

He said: "It is important to keep this issue in the public domain because we can't let people forget about this.

"I'm pleased that the case number has come through, but it could be another long wait.

"Every day I think 'will the operation date come through?'

"Everything is up in the air at the moment."

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is now looking into the possibility of getting the operation done privately, but said they would only do this if it was quicker than more traditional routes.

Mr Holliday claims the operation could be done in Germany or Belgium before his next UK operation date comes through.

"I know for a fact that I could be treated in Europe quickly, and I know that thousands of other people in pain could benefit too."

Mr Holliday first wrote to the European Court of Human Rights and Health Secretary Alan Milburn when his GP told him the wait could be as long as four years for a UK operation.

He has now reached the end of his tether after a meeting with officials at the Leeds General Infirmary confirmed the operation would not happen until May.

Mr Holliday is planning to tell the court that his human rights have been infringed because Leeds Health Authority were unable to fund his treatment in another country.

"My wife and I are very upset by the whole thing and we were hoping to go on holiday to Portugal to see friends at their villa.

"We've cancelled because you can guarantee that as soon as we get there, I'll get the call to go to hospital.

"If I don't go when I'm called, I could be waiting for months for another slot."

Mr Holliday was originally due to have his hip operation in February, but it was cancelled when the anaesthetist felt unable to go ahead with the operation.

He had already been admitted and was ready to have the operation when he was told that the original anaesthetist was on holiday and his replacement was not willing to go ahead.

The Wharfedale Observer has featured Mr Holliday's fight to get his operation on numerous occasions in the past.

A Leeds Teaching Hospitals spokesman sympathised with Mr Holliday but stressed they were doing all they can to get his operation carried out as soon as possible.

He said: "The operation is due to take place at the start of May.

"We are looking at the possibility of the operation being done privately, but that will only make sense if it could be arranged for an earlier date than the NHS operation.

"We do sympathise with Mr Holliday and are doing all we can."