A man says he's regained his independence after joining a research study into advanced liver disease.

Alan Prangnell, who signed up for a trial to better manage his condition's symptoms at home, is now encouraging others to register for the UK's largest-ever clinical trial recruitment drive.

The 76-year-old  retired support worker suffers from refractory ascites, a painful, recurrent fluid build-up caused by cirrhosis.

He receives palliative care as he is not eligible for a liver transplant or blood flow improvement procedure.

Community nurses trained Alan’s wife, Pam, to manage his care at homeCommunity nurses trained Alan’s wife, Pam, to manage his care at home (Image: Pam Prangnell) Alan, from Totton, said: "Living with ascites for this past year has been really difficult.

"The fluid build-up I get causes extreme breathlessness."

His treatment involves visiting the hospital every 10 to 14 days to have the fluid drained, a procedure that can be painful.

However, after joining the REDUCe2 study, led by the University of Sussex, Alan no longer has to make these regular hospital visits.

The study examines the effectiveness of managing abdominal drains at home.

Alan, who began the study at the start of the year, said: "At the start, I had a small operation to insert a tube into my abdomen with a tap to drain the fluid.

"Now, twice a week, the fluid is drained at home."

Community nurses trained his wife, Pam, to manage the draining process.

The 76-year-old added: "I am in less pain and discomfort because the fluid can be drained more regularly.

"It can all be done at home, rather than going into hospital, which means we get back some of our lives again.

"It has been such a great trip back to independence for me and my wife."

Alan's story is part of a wider campaign by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to register 1.5 million people in their "Be Part of Research" registry.

Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of the NIHR, said: "Tomorrow’s treatments are today’s research.

"Being a part of research is a great way to get involved and give back in a way that can change lives, accelerate knowledge and benefit us all."

The service has already enrolled more than 90,000 people across the UK in over 100 studies.