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Terminally ill Noel Conway has won the first stage of his Court of Appeal bid to challenge a ruling he says denies him a 'peaceful and dignified' death. The 68-year-old retired lecturer, from Shrewsbury, says he feels 'entombed' by motor neurone disease and wants medics to be able to help him die when he has just six months left to live.

He lost a High Court fight in October last year to allow him to bring about his death in the way he wishes.

But he was given the go-ahead for a full hearing at the Court of Appeal today by Sir Ernest Ryder and Lord Justice Underhill.

Sir Ernest said: 'Having given the matter the consideration that we have, we believe it appropriate to give permission.'

The judges made their decision based on documents submitted by Mr Conway's legal team, without hearing any oral representations.

Sir Ernest said the court will give reasons for its decision later today. He previously asked for a declaration that the Suicide Act 1961 is incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which relates to respect for private and family life, and Article 14, which protects from discrimination.

But his case was rejected by High Court judges in October last year.

Reacting to today's ruling, Mr Conway said: 'I am pleased that my case will now proceed to the Court of Appeal.

'I brought this case not only for myself but on behalf of all terminally-ill people who believe they should have the right to die on their own terms.

'Our voices deserve to be heard.

'I have accepted that my illness will rob me of my life, but how it ends should be up to me.