DISABLED rights campaigners are planning a protest at an East Lancashire railway station to reverse a ban on mobility scooters.

Despite previous meetings to discuss the problem First North Western today said there were no plans to reverse the decision in the foreseeable future.

Peter Foulkes, 67, a scooter user who first called for the policy to be reviewed two years ago, now hopes scooter and wheelchair users, as well as able-bodied people, will come together to help stage a protest at Blackburn station.

Mr Foulkes, who had mobility problems after an operation to remove cancer from his lower leg, was barred from taking his three-wheel scooter on a First North Western train in July 2002 because a company representative said it would create safety problems.

Soon he will need to use his scooter again and was dismayed to find the ban remains.

He said: "I have had to get another chair now on doctor's orders. I have asked about using a scooter on the train but it's still the same old story. They won't let us on.

"We are determined to get some action this time and are undertaking a protest to show how serious we are.

"We want as many people as possible to join us and support this call for a change in policy." Mr Foulkes, of Brownhill Drive, Blackburn, is being supported by Accrington Shopmobility which provides scooters and wheelchairs for a small donation so disabled shoppers can get around the town.

Eric Yates, scheme coordinator, plans to reform Hyndburn Access Group which had fought for new measures for disabled people to be implemented by First North Western.

He said: "The group has all but disbanded but I am willing to get it up and running again.

"Hopefully it can help to achieve something. People talk about quality of life all the time but disabled people often get left behind and while the rest of the world think they have a god given right to certain freedoms disabled people have to fight for their." A spokesperson for First North Western said that although the majority of their trains were designed to carry wheelchairs safely, scooters were a different matter.

She said: "Scooters are more difficult as they fail to comply with the dimensions laid down in the Strategic Rail Authority's Code of Practice and many of them will not fit safely onto our trains.

"For this reason we do have to advise our passengers that scooters in general are not suitable because of their size, manageability and weight.

"We have to consider the health and safety of all passengers who travel on our trains and for the foreseeable future this means scooters will not be permitted."

Disabled customers who wish to travel with First North Western are advised to call 0845 60 40 231 24 hours before travelling.

Anyone interested in supporting Peter can call him on 01254 661593.