Builder Mark Freeman has been waiting in agony for days for an operation on his broken leg because of a lack of beds at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Mark Freeman with partner Amanda Withers

Mr Freeman, 43, of Ticknell Piece Road, Charlbury, broke both bones in the lower part of his leg in three places a week ago last Monday, (November 18) while working in Ireland.

He was taken to a hospital in Cork where his leg was put in a full length cast. He was advised to return to England for treatment.

His colleagues brought him back home in the back of a van -- a journey which took 14 hours.

His partner Amanda Withers, a teaching assistant, said: "He came back to this country last Wednesday, saw a surgeon at the John Radcliffe and was told he needed an operation to plate the leg, but there were no beds available.

"I've rung every day since and there are still no beds. He is agony and cannot move. He is on pain killers prescribed by our GP, but is still in a lot of pain. I am worried that the delay may cause a long term disability. I'm having to take time off work to be with him."

The couple's two children Joshua, 10, and Rio, seven, are staying with relatives.

Miss Withers, 33, said: "They're upset. Mark is getting all worked up as he is facing a big operation but has no idea when it will be done.

"All our lives are being disrupted. The nurses at the hospital are fantastic and are as frustrated as we are by the delay."

A spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust Melanie Proudfoot said: "We are sorry that Mr Freeman is having to wait to be admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

"He has been seen and assessed by one of our consultants, and is awaiting further treatment.

"Patients are seen according to clinical priority and unfortunately we are experiencing a busy period with emergency pressures.

"We appreciate the anxiety this has caused Mr Freeman and his family."