A YORK couple say they are being forced to travel more than 50 miles a day to visit their disabled daughter because there is no facility closer to home.

Glynis and Malcolm Knaggs, both 52, have to travel between York and the neurological care centre at Holme Hall, at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, to visit their 21-year-old daughter, Jenni, who was left disabled two years ago after an operation to remove a benign brain tumour.

Mrs Knaggs said her daughter lived a normal life before the operation and worked as a shop assistant, but was unable to speak, eat or walk after her surgery.

Jenni has subsequently recovered her speech, but still cannot walk, and much of her ill-health is due to having lain in bed for long periods of time.

Between them, her parents, and boyfriend Lee, 24, travel to see her daily.

But Mrs Knaggs said the journey was starting to take its toll.

The couple are now trying to raise £41,000 to make their three-bedroom semi in St Stephen's Road, Acomb, suitable for Jenni's needs.

"It has been very hard," said Mrs Knaggs, who works part-time. "We visit Jenni every day, but it is very draining.

"We don't have the money to be able to look after her at home, and the nearest place to us is Leonard Cheshire, near Easingwold, but we've been told they won't have any openings for two years.

"We miss our daughter terribly and she's been able to recognise us for a while, so we have to visit her as often as we do.

"We need some kind of facility in York to stop people having to live miles away from their family when things like this happen. It takes all your emotions out of you."

After her operation at Leeds General Infirmary, Jenni was moved to Chapel Allerton, and then Holme Hall in December.

Her parents have applied to City of York Council for funding. They have been told they are eligible but do not know how much they will receive. Mrs Knaggs believes it could only be a fraction of what they would need.

"They treat her like a princess at Holme Hall," she said.

"They do all they can for her and I can't fault them, but it was only supposed to be a temporary measure and she's just too far away from home."

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, April 13, 2004