DISABLED commuters pushing transport companies to change their policies over disabled scooters have secured a meeting with rail bosses.

Peter Foulkes, who is restricted to a wheelchair after suffering leg cancer, highlighted anomalies in the rules after being banned from travelling on a First North Western train.

Officers said his wheelchair was too big and would create a safety problem.

His plight was backed by The Hyndburn Access Group who have written to the company demanding an urgent re-think of transport policy.

Today the train company and the action group agreed to meet face to face to discuss the problem.

But campaigners vowed: "We're not stopping there. "

They are now looking at claims that some electrical scooters are not allowed on specially designed disabled access buses owned by Lancashire Utilities.

Patricia Day, a spokesman for Hyndburn Access Group, who herself uses a wheelchair, welcomed the chance to meet with bosses of First North Western.

"I get the impression that company chiefs do not listen or speak to people who are really using these facilities. They have an old, blinkered, out of date attitude.

"We are still not happy because they still do not treat us like everybody else."

Mr Foulkes is furious that he is still being turned away from travelling on trains.

He said: "All I want to do is go about my life as anyone else and it is an outrage that I can not travel when other, bigger and more cumbersome equipment is allowed on board trains."

Now the Hyndburn Access Group are investigating claims that some drivers are stopping certain wheelchair users boarding buses in Accrington.

Pat said: "We are very disappointed to hear that certain bus drivers have stopped electric wheelchair users boarding the buses on the basis that the batteries leak. This is simply not true."

Harry Brady, Staff and Resources Manager at Lancashire Utilities, said: "All electrical scooters are allowed on board provided they fit in the compartment that is preserved for their use.

"This area has special protective bars and padding. If they cannot fit in this section -- and some old fashioned chairs do not -- they would be a health and safety risk as they would crash down the isle."

A date for the meeting between the train operator and the access group has yet to be fixed.