A TRAIN company is re-thinking the way it treats its disabled customers after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph highlighted the plight of a passenger, banned from taking his scooter on board.

The Hyndburn Access Group wrote to First North Western, asking them to review their staff training policy regarding disability awareness after Peter Foulkes was stopped from using their trains. He was barred from taking his three-wheel scooter on to a First North Western train because a company representative decided it was too big and would create a safety problem.

Patricia Day, a spokesman for Hyndburn Access Group, which has experienced similar problems in Accrington, said: "Their argument about the scooter being too big and dangerous is not a valid one.

"I feel an apology is due and more consultation with disability groups should be on the agenda. First North Western needs to look a its staff training policy regarding disability awareness."

Peter, of East Street, Blackburn, has been forced to use the scooter after undergoing a cancer operation on his leg. He was stopped by a First North Western conductor at Blackburn station. He said at the time: "I think it is disgusting. Other wheelchair users are allowed on the trains, so why not me?

"He said the chair was dangerous and its turning circle too big.", Peter added.

At the time First North Western said they were unable to transport scooters because of "safety reasons". But commercial director Paul Bunting today said: "We take our obligations to disabled passengers seriously. We are re-writing our Disabled Persons Protection Policy and surveying the network to identify what is needed to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

"We are sorry we were unable to let Mr Foulkes on our train and looking closely at the issues with regards to how we deal with disabled passengers."