A MAN who came close to losing his leg through diabetes is campaigning for better treatment for sufferers of the “silent assassin”.

Enfield resident Philip French, 42, of Beaconsfield Road, is prone to developing ulcers on his feet has had to have 30 operations in the past 20 years to prevent them from becoming infected.

He broke his foot playing football in 1995, which led to an abscess which covered the sole of his foot and gangrene which threatened to engulf his lower leg, but was saved by surgery.

Diabetes, nicknamed the silent assassin because it can lead to conditons such as strokes and heart attacks, can damage the nerve supply and blood flow, which can result in ulcers and slow healing wounds.

Mr French, who has type one diabetes which leaves his body unable to make insulin, will be one of 100 diabetes sufferers, including 20 diabetes amputees, who will take part in a photocall at the Body Worlds and The Mirror of Time exhibition at London's O2 Arena.

The campaign, which is launched by charity Diabetes UK on Tuesday at 11am, is to highlight the fact that diabetes causes 100 amputations a week in the UK.

The charity wants hospitals and primary care organisations to adopt the recommendations set out in a new NHS report, 'Putting Feet First' , Diabetes is the leading cause of lower-limb amputation in the world, 5,000 diabetes sufferers undergoing leg, foot or toe amputations each year in the UK.

Mr French said: "The operations were extremely painful and have damaged the tendons and nerve endings in my foot which has made wearing normal shoes impossible as the shape of my foot has changed. I find balancing difficult and I suffer from recurring ulcers - in fact, in the last 11 years there have only been two or three months where I haven't had an ulcer. “I've currently an ulcer on one of my big toes and am in constant contact with my chiropodist and doctors to make sure we don't have to resort to another amputation".

Diabetes UK is calling on PCTs and hospitals to ensure provision of high-quality specialist care for the management and prevention of diabetic foot disease.

Diabetes UK's Head of Healthcare and Policy, Bridget Turner, said: "The consequences of diabetic foot disease are devastating, and it must not be ignored. Commissioners need to work together with providers, healthcare professionals and people with diabetes within local diabetes networks to deliver high-quality integrated care.”