A NIGHTCLUB manager has defended the way his staff handled an incident when a woman had an epileptic fit.

Catherine Rutter, 25, suffered a fit at Lar-de-Dars, Accrington, during a night out with her boyfriend Neil Hardicker, 23.

Neil claims doormen were "totally insensitive" and one told his girlfriend she would have to leave if she had another seizure.

But club manager Ken Marland said: "If she'd had another fit in the club I would have asked her to leave myself, for her own good.

"Flashing lights can trigger an epileptic fit and if it's triggered it off once it can do it again."

The couple, who live in Beaconsfield Street, Great Harwood, said they were in the cocktail bar away from any flashing lights.

Neil, who laid her down on the floor, said: "Two bouncers were trying to pull me off her, saying 'pick her up, pick her up'.

"I told them she had epilepsy and was having a seizure and if they wanted to be useful to go and get a glass of water.

"I sat her on a chair and gave her the water and the bouncer pointed at her and said 'if that happens again she leaves'. "We were made to feel so uncomfortable, like we were causing trouble. They were so insensitive, I asked to speak to the manager."

Mr Hardicker, who plans to consult the Disability Alliance, said: "You can take people to court for this type of thing. It's discrimination."

Mr Marland said: "It is not the case at all of a wicked old nightclub manager not liking disabled people. It's a case of common sense.

"Staff are first aid trained, are there to look after people and be helpful. I said, if I was her boyfriend, for her own good I would take her home but they were not asked to leave."

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