I AM a pensioner and was shopping at the B&Q store in Blackburn on Wednesday, May 12 when I desperately needed the toilet.

I asked staff for assistance and was told they didn't have a public convenience and I wouldn't be allowed to use their staff facility.

I was distraught and desperate and with no help or assistance there was only one thing I could do -- to go to the car park by a hedge and do what I had to do!

Come on B&Q, look after your customers, especially the elderly!

MOLLY BARNES, George Street, Whalley.

Footnote: A B &Q spokesman said: "I've spoken to the manager at Blackburn and although he was not present at the time of the incident, he has investigated .

"Unfortunately, there isn't a public toilet at the store and the staff toilets are located away from the public trading areas. The store management team has the discretion to allow customers to use staff toilets.

"It appears that on this occasion the customer wasn't referred to the management team and therefore had to use other means.

"To ensure that this doesn't happen again, the store manager will be reiterating the policy to his team today.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and should the customer wish to take this further, the store manager will be happy to discuss the matter with her."