One of Wales' oldest men has been told he has to wait six months for surgery which could restore his eyesight.

Alfred Finnegan, from Llanglydwen in Carmarthenshire, who celebrated his 106th birthday on Wednesday, needs a cataract operation so he can read and enjoy his garden.

It would be nice to catch up on my favourite books again but it looks as if I'll have to wait a bit longer

Alfred Finnegan, 106

But doctors at the West Wales General Hospital say they have a long waiting list and will not give him preferential treatment because of his age.

His family want the operation brought forward so he can see again before he dies.

Mr Finnegan is a veteran of World War I where he won the French legion D'Honneur medal for bravery and his family are anxious for him to enjoy his remaining years.

His niece, Kathy Page, says the hospital should be more compassionate.

She said: "My uncle has been blind in his left eye for years but his other eye was functioning well until recently.

"But since the cataract developed he is virtually blind and just sits in a quiet world of his own.

"All he wants is to be able to read again and potter round outside feeding birds. Alfred could be dead by the time they get round to operating on him.

The trust says there is a long waiting list

"We would have thought that because of his great age they would have brought his operation forward."

But Carmarthenshire NHS Trust says there is a long waiting list and Mr Finnegan must wait his turn for treatment.

A spokesman for the NHS trust said: "We are doing everything in our power to reduce the waiting list for ophthalmology patients.

"There is considerable demand for the services which is reflected in the waiting list.

Waiting

"We hope Mr Finnegan will not have to wait too long and we want to wish him a happy birthday."

Mr Finnegan himself is resigned to waiting for the treatment.

He said: "I thought about the operation for several days and decided there was nothing lost in going ahead with it.

"It would be nice to catch up on my favourite books again but it looks as if I'll have to wait a bit longer."