PATIENTS with Alzheimer's Disease are being denied access to drugs to slow down the worsening of their condition because of `postcode' prescribing, according to a new report.

While some parts of the UK spent £10 a head on anti-dementia drugs for the over-65s, other areas spent less than £1 per person.

West Yorkshire was reported to be one of the better areas.

With 312,000 over-65s, spending on treatments last year came to £879,000.

The figure was nearly double the £485,000 in Thames Valley, where there is an over-65 population of 311,000.

Alzheimer's charities attacked the `lottery' on medication and said patients with the degenerative brain disease deserved better.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "These drugs are not a cure but slow the worsening of symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with dementia and their carers.

"People with Alzheimer's have a progressive, degenerative condition and a six-month wait for treatment is one they cannot afford."