DISABLED Preston North End fans have ganged up on the club for slashing the number of cut-price tickets available to them, inflating prices and 'discriminating' against them.

Supporters vented their fury after PNE cut the number of disabled season tickets by half to fewer than 150.

Now fans who missed out on tickets face the prospect of buying a much more expensive one.

Andrew Burton, from Fulwood, had a disabled season-ticket in the family stand last season.

But this time round disabled supporters won't be allowed to sit in the family stand.

Andrew said: "Last season they encouraged me to go in the family stand with my eight-year-old son because we could get his ticket for £50, which was great.

"But when I tried to renew it this year, I was told that I wasn't allowed in the stand because 'disabled people couldn't sit with their families'.

"When I asked if I could get the same price ticket for him in the Sir Tom Finney stand, I was refused and told I'd have to pay £160.

"They implied that if I couldn't afford it, it was tough.

"It is disgusting. They have even told me that apart from disabled season tickets every seat at ground level has been bought.

"I can't believe that -- most people like to sit further up for an unrestricted view."

Another disasbled fan Alan Iddon, from Preston, has been told that the disabled season tickets are sold out.

Alan, a North End supporter for more than 50 years, has been disabled for a year.

He says he is gutted by the club's decision. He added: "I asked if I could put a deposit on a ticket and they said no.

"When they finally went on sale, they told me they were sold out because they have cut the allocation in half."

His friend Ian McKenzie has also been unable to get a ticket and was disgusted by the attitude of club staff.

He said: "They just don't want to know. They're in the First Division now and able-bodied people can pay more for their seats so they don't need us."

Barbara McCombes, of the newly-formed Disabled Supporters' Association, has been calling on club chiefs to meet with her and fellow supporters to discuss their concerns, but a meeting has yet to be arranged.

North End ticket sales manager Maria Hallam said: "We have had to reduce the provision of spaces for disabled supporters because there were a lot of people abusing the system, selling tickets or buying them for row one and then moving up the stand to sit with people paying full price.

"Disabled people can bring children to the match and they can pay the concessionary rate of £160 in the Sir Tom Finney Stand.

"Under the Disability Rights Act we are doing everything we need just by providing facilities for disabled fans."