A D-DAY war veteran did not expect to spend his retirement constantly gazing at a lorry - but that is exactly what 94-year-old George Van de Voorde does for the majority of his waking hours.

George, who lives in Dorant House, New Greens Avenue, St Albans, lost the use of his legs a few years ago and each day his wheelchair is placed in front of his window but the only thing he can see is a lorry which is parked just 20 yards away.

He said: "I cannot stand the smell of the diesel petrol which comes through my window and I hate the sight of it.

"There is an old people's home over the road and old ladies come over with their trolleys trying to get to the shops and they can't because the lorry blocks off the dip in the kerb.

"The warden of the building has spoken to the council numerous times but so far nothing has been done about it.

"What we really want is a single yellow line," he added.

"It's not me I'm worried about I am more concerned about the old ladies walking over the road.

"Before that lorry was parking there the hedgerow was full of blackbirds and pigeons but now there isn't even a squirrel.

"All I can see all day is the lorry - it is not very pleasant."

A district council spokesman said: "We spoke to the warden who said that they have been reporting the matter to Hertfordshire Highways but things like this are sorted out by the district council.

"At the moment the driver is doing nothing wrong but we are investigating to see if we can do anything to help Mr Van de Voorde."

George is a published poet and attended Fleetville School. He has lived in the home for 15 years.

"One morning I came in and George was obviously distressed," said his carer Claudia. "I could see that he wasn't happy, he said all he could smell was diesel.

"For the people that live here their only access to the outside world is through their windows."