A woman who has spent four decades living with a husband whose personality changed after a head injury is now being helped by a Bradford charity.

Iris Laycock, 66, had already faced tragedy when her first husband died eight weeks into their marriage.

So when she moved to Blackpool and met and married Simon Laycock, now 65, she had high hopes for a happy future.

But difficult times lay ahead for the couple, who celebrate 40 years of marriage this summer.

Before meeting his wife, Mr Laycock was knocked down in Blackpool. At the time there was no obvious damage, but when the couple were expecting their first baby his behaviour began to change.

Mrs Laycock said: "I thought it was because I was pregnant, but it wasn't.

"He was possessive and argumentative. He would roll his eyes and would get my arm and put it up my back."

Mrs Laycock said she knew her husband's behaviour was out of character and began taking him to doctors.

The couple moved to Windhill, Shipley, to be near Mrs Laycock's family. It took years before a scan showed he had brain damage and epilepsy.

"It was a relief," Mrs Laycock said.

"It's been very difficult.

"My husband knew something was wrong, but he didn't know what he did."

At the age of 40, Mrs Laycock found she could no longer cope.

"I had no help with him apart from the psychologist," she said.

"Last year I came to the end of my tether, my husband was exceptionally bad, so I rang Mencap," she said.

The charity put Mrs Laycock in touch with the regional co-ordinator of Headway, a charity which offers support to people with brain damage and their friends and families.

A Bradford branch of the charity was formed and Mrs Laycock found herself surrounded by others with similar experiences. She said: "I got my confidence back.

"You talk to one another and know that they understand what you are going through, you are not on your own and that's a wonderful feeling." For more information about Headway Bradford telephone Iris on 07856076866 or Julie on 07856076867.