RECENTLY I had to go to Fairfield Hospital for a dental appointment. There was not one "disabled" space available because they were filled with cars not displaying the required orange badge.

I had to park quite a distance away. I have to walk with the aid of sticks and my journey was slow and painful. I was late for my appointment.

On the way home I decided to call at Tesco. There was just one "disabled" bay empty but as I was approaching the bay an able-bodied woman walked across from her car and dumped her trolley in it. Her lack of consideration meant that I had to struggle out of my car to move the trolley so that I could park.

I would gladly swap places - and my disability - with any able-bodied person who wishes to use the "disabled" bays. Life as a disabled person is hard enough without the lack of consideration shown by people who illegally park in these bays. Please have more consideration for those of us who have to use them.

MRS E. J. HIGGINS,

Walshaw Walk,

Tottington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.