A PENSIONER who suffers from vertigo is calling for more understanding from members of the public.

The 61-year-old, from Halliwell, has suffered from a vertigo-related disorder for more than 20 years and says people are often rude to him because they think he is drunk.

The man, who asked not to be named, said he regularly has “episodes” where he cannot walk and has to hold on to things for support.

But he said people are often unkind and abusive towards him when he asks them for help.

He is calling for more awareness about the disorder, which causes a loss of balance.

He said: “It can make me go really wobbly and I will have to hold on to things to stay up. It happened in Bolton the other day and people shouted at me for being drunk but I don’t drink and I had asked them for help.

“I just want people to be more aware.”