A loving husband has turned down a life-saving operation so he can care for his dementia-suffering wife rather than put her into a nursing home.

Doctors advised Bryan Welling to have his prostate removed when he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

But the selfless retired electrician has refused to undergo the crucial operation because wife Pat, 68, suffers from dementia and relies on him for constant care.

Mr Welling, 70, asked doctors to monitor the cancer instead – so he could continue to wash, dress and feed his wife without spending time in hospital.

"I have been advised the prostate needs to be taken away but it would mean two months on the sick and I would not be able to drive or lift anything," said Mr Welling, who looks after his wife at their home in St George, Bristol.

"That would mean putting Pat in a home and I said when she was diagnosed she would not go into a home as long as I am able to care for her.

"We have been married for 45 years and that is not for nothing. I'm afraid if she goes into a home she will go into her shell and that will be it.

"At the moment Pat is so happy, laughing all the time and loves to have fun – she has got a wonderful sense of humour."

Mrs Welling slowly began to lose her memory in 2000 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, a year later.

The incurable disease seriously affects her memory, leaving her totally dependant on her husband and unable to care for herself.

When Mr Welling was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year he was forced to make a tough decision between looking after his own health or that of his wife.

"So far I have been lucky and it has been under control," he said.

"The doctors are very pleased with my condition and I just feel lucky they can keep an eye on it.

"They have taken a blood sample and a urine sample and said if there are any problems they will let me know."