A grieving family who are facing a financial nightmare after they lost their son to epilepsy have spoken out to raise awareness of the dangers of sudden unexpected death syndrome in epilepsy.

Ray and Barbara Izzard

Pensioners Barbara and Raymond Izzard, of Steptoe Close, Grove, were dealt a double blow when their 43-year-old son Bob died of a heart attack during an epileptic seizure at his home in Watchet, Somerset, seven weeks ago.

As well as having to cope with their loss, the family has been saddled with a £44,000 bill for legal aid Bob received while claiming compensation for serious injuries he suffered in a road accident.

He was thrown from a motorbike while riding pillion in 1992.

Bob's wife Linda, who is disabled and unable to work, and his sons Patrick, three, and Stephen, six, also face losing their home, as there is still £72,000 to pay off their mortgage.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has joined Mrs Izzard's fight to have the debts wiped out and has succeeded in getting the bill reduced by a third after a review found the expenses were worked out incorrectly.

Bob, who attended Segsbury School in Wantage with his brothers Jim and Andrew, suffered from epilepsy as a result of a head injury he received in 1981.

But his family had no idea he could die suddenly of the condition.

Mrs Izzard said: "At no time in the 24 years since Bob was first diagnosed were the family ever warned about sudden death syndrome.

"Had Bob or the family been warned, there would have been sufficient time to put financial matters in order and make provision for the family after his death.

"Bob had brain surgery to cure his epilepsy, which we were told had been 100 per cent successful, so it was a shock for us to receive a phone call at 1.30am to say that he had suffered a massive seizure and a heart attack and had died because the paramedics couldn't get to him in time to save him."

Mr Izzard collapsed behind a cloakroom door, jamming it shut, and died before paramedics had time to break a window to get in.

"Had we been warned about the very real dangers of this condition various household adaptations could have been made, such as outward opening doors," said Mrs Izzard.

She said debts did not die with the deceased but had to be paid from their estate unless finances were in place to cover the debt.

Mr and Mrs Izzard have now registered with Epilepsy Bereaved, a national charity, which is based in Mill Street, Wantage, to campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of sudden death syndrome.

Mrs Izzard added: "We feel we will never get over Bob's death but in tribute to him we hope to spend the future fundraising for Epilepsy Bereaved, and helping others bereaved in this way."

Mr Vaizey has written to the Minister for Constitutional Affairs to start negotiations to have the debts dropped.

He said: "I think Barbara and Ray are remarkable people and it is typical of them to want Bob's death not to have been in vain."

Jane Hanna, director of Epilepsy Bereaved, said: "The outcome for most people with epilepsy should be good. We campaign to ensure people have access to specialist services and information to reduce risks.

"Tragically there are still 1,000 deaths a year, mostly in younger people, and the charity gives support to families experiencing these sudden deaths."