THE family of a retired Kidderminster police officer is desperately fundraising to bring him home from Thailand after a devastating motorbike crash which has left him paralysed.

To have any chance of a normal life again, Bob Anthony needs urgent medical treatment but a plane ticket home costs about £50,000.

His family and friends are hoping the community he served while he was with West Mercia Police will rally to his aid and help foot the bill.

Daughter Nadine Anthony said: "My dad has had an accident in Thailand which has resulted in a broken neck and he's now paralysed.

"He's in critical condition and he needs to be in England to have any chance."

The 54-year-old, who also served in the Royal Signals for 14 years before becoming a police officer, is currently in a Thai hospital breathing through a ventilator via tracheotomy.

Mr Anthony emigrated to Thailand two years ago after he retired from the police force which has made getting him home to his family for the surgery and rehabilitation he needs a lot harder.

Although the treatments are available in the country, the prices are impossible for him to his family to afford, which makes the £50,000 flight the only viable way to try to secure his future.

"The cost of medical treatment is too high for what he needs and that's why we need to get him home," Ms Anthony added.

"If he's got any chance of making a full recovery, he's going to have it being flown home."

Mr Anthony's son, Steven Anthony, has flown out to be with his father, but Ms Anthony is unable to go because she is pregnant.

As well as trying to raise the funds themselves, a number of charities have vowed to help, including Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and the Army Benevolent Fund - The Soldiers Charity.

Total costs of treatment and travel are currently being calculated by the British Embassy in Bangkok, but the family are also preparing a back-up plan if the amount of money cannot be raised in time.

"If this cost is too high, we will embark on an ex British Military exercise to complete the mission," Ms Anthony added.

A Facebook page appealing for help has been set up, Fundraising to help get my dad home for the medical treatment he needs xxx, and friend Andy Norris has set up a Just Giving fundraising page for people to get donations to the cause.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/Andy-Norris1.