A TEENAGER claims she was left stranded at a deserted motorway service station when Britain's so-called fourth emergency service let her down.

Micahla Hill (19) says the AA refused to bring her fuel when she ran out of petrol.

She was forced to sleep overnight in an empty lorry park at Sandbach Services, Cheshire, before being rescued by a friend the following day.

A furious Miss Hill, of Coomassie Street, Radcliffe, is demanding an explanation from AA bosses as to why they left her high and dry.

She was driving home from Stroud, Gloucestershire. Just days before a thief had taken her jacket containing credit-cards and other possessions.

Miss Hill, an AA member, said: "About 11pm I discovered I had only enough petrol left for a further two miles. I pulled into the service area but the petrol station had just closed down. I had only 30p."

She phoned the AA emergency number for help. "I rang them, explained the situation, told them I was on my own and had no money.

"I asked if they could bring me £5 worth of petrol and bill me. The lady on the phone went to check before telling me they couldn't do anything for me."

She added: "I stressed my age and the fact I was on my own and had no petrol nor money. They were my last hope - but their reaction shocked me. I was virtually crying on the phone. They were really hard." Miss Hill slept overnight in her Ford Escort car in a deserted lorry park. The next day a friend brought a vehicle recovery wagon and towed her car home.

She is angry the AA ignored her plight. "I rang the RAC later and they said there's no way they would have left me. My dad was in a similar situation some time ago and the AA did bring petrol and bill him later."

Miss Hill went on: "Their treatment of me was a joke, especially as they claim to be the fourth emergency service."

An AA spokeswoman said that, although they had no record of Miss Hill's call, having spoken to her they were convinced her complaint was genuine.

"We are extremely sorry this lady should have been refused service. We are talking to her and trying to resolve the matter."

The spokeswoman stressed they took all complaints seriously and the AA always gave lone women motorists top priority.

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