HIS bravery alongside American troops during the Iraq War led to him becoming one of only two British soldiers to receive a special US medal.

But the horrific sights witnessed by York Signaller Dave Benson during the conflict have since led to him developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), leaving him unable to work.

Now he fears he could face the additional stress of eviction from his home after being told his application for help with his rent and council tax could be delayed by a backlog.

The 22-year-old Haxby man, whose illness has developed since he left the Army in December, said he was told it could be about five months before he received any housing benefit or council tax rebate.

His father, Nigel, says that when he tried to tell council officials about his son's particular circumstances, he was met by "blank looks."

Dave said his fiancee, Angie Wheller, said their income and his income support would just about cover their living expenses, but not the rent for their private home in Cornwood Way, or their council tax.

"By next month, I will not be able to afford to keep a roof over our heads and fear that my fiancee and I will be evicted, Dave said.

"As an ex-soldier, decorated for my dedication to duty during the war, I feel bitterly disappointed that the welfare system is letting me, and I am sure many others, down so badly."

But City of York Council said today that in cases of extreme hardship, it could and did fast-track claims.

Julie McMurray, head of revenues and benefits said: "We are totally dependant on the customer completing the form and providing all of the relevant information that is required to support their claim."

She also said the authority had now cleared its backlogs and was working towards processing claims within 30 days when information was supplied.

Dave said there had been a delay in supplying some information, but officials told him there would still be a delay of about five months after that was supplied.

Dave received the American Army Achievement Medal for his "dedicated service and attention to detail" while involved in unconventional warfare with the United States Psychological Operations Tactical Detachment. In a citation, he was said to have distinguished himself through selfless action, courage and loyalty.

But he revealed today how, over the months since then, his experiences had gradually taken their toll psychologically, leading to bad dreams and increasing problems of anxiety, flashbacks and bad temper which had affected his relationship with Angie and eventually led to a breakdown, which doctors had attributed to PTSD caused by his experiences in Iraq.

He was not able to go into details about what he saw.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, May 11, 2004