A distraught OAP forced to make a 260-mile round trip to see her dementia suffering husband in his Haslemere care home has finally been reunited with him.

Fenella Clapham, 72, spent two years making the journey from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, to St Magnus Hospital in Haslemere to see her husband Brian, 76.

The couple were inseparable and had been married for 50 years before Brian was moved 130 miles away because there were no care places available near their home.

Brian Clapham at St Magnus Hospital, in Haslemere. Photo released September 20 2024. An OAP who is having to travel more than 260 miles to visit her elderly husband with dementia has said his ordeal has "ruined" her family's lives. Fenella Clapham, 72, has been fighting to get her husband Brian, 76, moved to a nursing home close to their home in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Brian is currently receiving care for vascular dementia at St Magnus Hospital, in West Sussex, having initially been treated at Colchester Hospital.He has been living there since June 2022, but his wife said she was told by his care team he would soon be moved to a home in Essex.
Brian Clapham at St Magnus Hospital in Haslemere (Fenella Clapham / SWNS)

However the loving couple have now been reunited as Brian, who has vascular dementia, has moved into a care home in Colchester - just 15 miles away.

Mrs Clapham, who has arthritis and uses a mobility scooter, said: "We are so happy that Brian has come home.

"When I heard the news, I called him and said 'You're coming home next week' and he said 'No, you're joking'.

"I said 'Brian, honestly you are' and he got emotional.

"I can go and see him as much as I want to now and it means his children and grandchildren have come and visited him.

"We are just so grateful that he has come home to us. It was awful with him being away."

Fenella said it felt like Essex County Council were making 'excuses' as to why a suitable care placement couldn't be found for Brian.

The council previously said it would be 'inappropriate' to comment on individual cases but they had remained in contact with the family.

Brian moved into Tall Trees care home in Colchester, Essex last month.

The great-grandfather-of-seven originally fell ill with a suspected chest infection in December 2020 but an X-ray revealed he was actually suffering from bowel cancer.

It was the first time the former gas layer and Fenella, who have been together since they were 16, were apart.

He was initially discharged back to his home in Clacton but was readmitted to hospital and, due to his then diagnosed dementia care needs, moved to St Magnus Hospital in June 2022.

Brian and Fenella Clapham.Photo released September 20 2024. An OAP who is having to travel more than 260 miles to visit her elderly husband with dementia has said his ordeal has "ruined" her family's lives. Fenella Clapham, 72, has been fighting to get her husband Brian, 76, moved to a nursing home close to their home in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.Brian is currently receiving care for vascular dementia at St Magnus Hospital, in West Sussex, having initially been treated at Colchester Hospital.He has been living there since June 2022, but his wife said she was told by his care team he would soon be moved to a home in Essex.
Brian and Fenella Clapham before they were separated when he was moved to a care home in Haslemere (Fenella Clapham / SWNS)

Fenella had to rely on her daughter and granddaughter, who both work shifts, to drive her to St Magnus' Hospital in Haslemere - a 130 mile trip each way.

She cannot drive and relies on her mobility scooter and public transport.

Fenella, who worked for mental health services, also claimed she went weeks at a time without receiving updates on her husband’s situation from the social work team.

She said Brian had tearfully broken down and said: "When am I coming home? I think it'll be when I'm dead".