THIS is an extremely angry letter on behalf of a group of physically impaired people.

The Hyndburn Arthritis Society meet at the Come and Welcome pub, Clayton-le-Moors, on the third Wednesday in each month.

That breaks down to 11 meetings of a two hour duration.

The Society are extremely grateful to the Come and Welcome, including bar staff who donate services free.

Also Accrington Lions and other voluntary people who bring the physically disabled for two hours of enjoyment that helps to break the monotony of four walls to stare at.

At the last two meetings the local Gestapo in the form of traffic wardens paid a visit.

Some of the wheelchair users and zimmer frame users park on the pavement to try to be near to the access door. A warning was verbally given that the miscreants would be prosecuted.

Funnily enough, I travelled on Blackburn Road where big vans were parked on the pavement on double yellow lines with complete immunity.

When I asked two traffic wardens, the answer was: "So long as there is no hindrance to others, we use our discretion.

Is this one law for fit people, another for the handicapped?

FRANCIS CROSS (Mr), Royds Street, Accrington.

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