A former Shropshire man is fighting European bureaucracy in an at-tempt to end what he claims is a “cruel and unjust” healthcare directive.

George Marshall, 72, moved to France in September 2004 believing  the cost of any healthcare he might need would be full met under reciprocal arrangements with Britain.

But two months later he discovered that 70 per cent of health costs are met with the remaining 30 per cent having to be claimed on insurance cover.

And the cost of his insurance premium has now reached 1,000 Euros (£836) a year.

Mr Marshall has been visiting his daughter, who lives in Dawley, Telford, but will shortly be returning to the south west region of France where he bought a house.

He said he is seeking justice for “all pensioners” and is trying to find a way of overturning the EU directive that says people are entitled to the healthcare of the country they live in.

According to Mr Marshall, most of the main EU countries meet 100 per cent of health service costs, the same as Britain, but the directive allows France to operate its system of splitting the cost.

“It is a cruel and unjust directive,” said Mr Marshall who used to live in the Hollinswood area of Telford.

He moved to the town in 1980 after 22 years Army service. He worked at COD Donnington and later had a number of other jobs.

He has spent the past five years trying to get his voice heard and to find some way of changing the directive.

Mr Marshall said he now plans to raise the issue with West Midlands Euro MPs in a bid to try to make progress.

He claims that he did his research before moving to France and had been assured that the cost of any healthcare he might need would be fully paid without the need for insurance.

“I see it as a tremendous injustice and that is why I am seeking to change the legislation.  I don’t believe it should apply to pensioners,” said Mr Marshall. “I’m afraid it has left a very bitter taste in my mouth.

“The insurance premiums go up each year and at 1,000 euros a year it is now beginning to bite.”