IN reply to Nicholas Holt's scathing attack on disabled drivers (Letters, November 8), firstly, doctors do not hand out disability badges.

They are a component of a disability allowance that has thoroughly assessed a person's claim for disability, usually consisting of medical examinations and criteria that have to be met.

The badges are then awarded by a panel of professional persons from the Department of Social Security.

Secondly, disabled drivers are not immune to work and probably are or have had gainful employment and paid tax at some time in their lives. Some are on disability working allowance, but are still entitled to a badge.

Thirdly, pregnancy is neither an illness or a disability and people choose to become pregnant, not so to become disabled.

Finally, Mr Holt, I do hope that in the future you or one of your family does not become a victim of a painful mobility problem. Don't judge a book by its cover as not all disabilities are obvious.

SANDRA MURPHY, Burnley Road, Blackburn.