DISABLED people in Preston and South Ribble are so determined to enjoy a coach holiday, they have launched a national campaign.

The Preston-based action group Access For All (AFA) is campaigning for better access on existing and newly-built coaches used for tours, excursions and holidays.

They say disabled people are 'denied access to a holiday through the bad design and layout of coaches'.

AFA member John Coxhead, who has been disabled for three years after losing a leg, believes coach firms should provide equal access for all people regardless of their disability.

The Preston DISC disability worker, of Bristol Avenue, Leyland, said: "Disabled people who do not drive find it very difficult to get around and some 12 million people find that they can't use coaches.

"This causes a great problem when it comes to things like picking people up from the airport on holiday and if they want to go on tours and excursions."

But John Brindle, director of Fishwicks Buses, in Golden Hill Lane, Leyland, says anyone is welcome on his coaches.

He said: "As long as disabled people can physically get on the coach then we would not turn them away. But coaches are not designed to deal with people who are severely disabled."

And he defended the transport industry, saying recent changes in legislation meant new buses had to built with a ramp facility to provide wheelchair access, but this did not apply to coaches.

"If we were to buy a new bus then any disabled person would be able to wheel their wheelchair on it and be clamped to the bus floor," he said. "But we obviously still run buses which are not equipped."

People interested in joining the campaign should e-mail accessforall@knowsleyfarm.demon.co.uk or call 01253 836289.