A father is fighting to get the council to fund a vital lift hoist for his severely disabled daughter.

Alan Pryor and his wife have repeatedly asked for help from Barnet Council in looking after nine-year-old Ju-Li, who suffers from Angelman Syndrome.

She is severely mentally and physically handicapped and cannot stand, crawl, talk, or feed herself.

Ju-Li is looked after in the family home in Gloucester Road, East Barnet, and has now been categorised as so heavy that she requires a two-person lift.

Mr Pryor said: 'We have been run down in recent months, partly because we have to get up two or three times each night to tend to Ju-Li. It usually takes two of us to lift her.'

Six months ago Mr Pryor suffered badly from flu and the couple have not had a break from looking after Ju-Li for three years.

All requests to the council for respite care have been refused.

Mr Pryor subsequently made an application for Barnet to pay for a lift hoist and ceiling track in Ju-Li's bedroom and bathroom ,, but again the council turned them down, insisting that the Pryors pay the bulk of the cost.

But Mr Pryor says his wife cannot work and with mortgage and other expenses they cannot afford the the £2,500 needed for the lift.

But Stephen Barber, Barnet Council's chief children's officer, said: 'Two years ago the family applied for and received a disabled facilities grant which enabled the council to build them an extension (for Ju-Li's bedroom).

'The family duly applied for a grant from us but have been told their income is too high. The criteria for this decision is laid down by the Government and not by the council.'

lbenjamin@london.newsquest.co.uk