A COLLEGE student has called for more wheelchair adaptable taxis in Hyndburn after finding herself stranded for more than 90 minutes.

Hayley Reed, 31, of Church Street, Great Harwood, an insulin dependent diabetic, has used an electric wheelchair since a traffic accident 14 years ago which damaged her knee and is appalled by the lack of adapted taxis in Hyndburn.

A disabled support group today said the problem was one being experienced across the country but Hyndburn Council and MP Greg Pope have both vowed to look into ways of improving the number of vehicles available.

A decision with regard to reviewing the council policy will be made by the end of this month.

Because of the diabetes, Hayley is unable to drive herself to Accrington and Rossendale College and walking for any distance makes her extremely tired so she is reliant on taxis.

She said: "There have been times when I have had to wait for one and a half hours for a taxi and it will get to the point where I won't be able to get back home at all. Also I have also been late for college several times." which I can not afford to keep happening but when I have travelled in the old style metro cabs I have had accidents because of unstable ramps so do not feel safe in them.

"I have even been laughed at by some firms for asking them whether or not they have a solid ramp and other safety measures."

Fortunately through the Sandy Lane college Hayley was put in touch with Monty Fenton-Hunt, owner of Betty's taxis, Rishton, who has an adapted cab with a built in ramp and proper harness to secure the chair safely in position.He said: "Ideally I would like to have about five of these as they cater for everyone but I can not apply for another Hackney licence as the council is not issuing any more at the moment."

Hayley and the taxi boss have written to Hyndburn MP Greg Pope alerting him to the situation but in the mean time Hayley is still struggling to meet hospital appointments, get to her voluntary work with Age Concern Hyndburn and get to college for her HNC in Business Studies.

Mr Pope said: "We are moving forward to encourage people who are changing their vehicle to get those which can be adapted."

Some local councils already have large numbers of adapted cabs. Blackburn with Darwen has 64.

But Alan Francis, a spokesman for the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation, said that the government intended to introduce regulations for all licensed taxis to have wheelchair access by January 2002, but that date had been delayed.

He said: "We don't know when these regulations will be re-drafted at the minute. In areas like London many licensed taxis all already have wheelchair access, but in areas like Hyndburn it is still a problem."

A spokesman for Hyndburn Borough Council confirmed that the situation is being looked into. He said there was eight modified Hackney carriages in Hyndburn.