An elderly woman has been denied a renewal of her blue disabled badge, despite recommendations from her doctor.

Pauline Timson, 87, of Alicia Close, Harrow, had previously held the badge for six years, which she used for going shopping or on trips to the hospital.

Her neighbours explained that her various medical conditions mean she struggles to walk and, if she falls over, she is unable to get back up unaided.

She underwent an assessment, carried out by Access Independent, and, in accordance with Harrow Council’s eligibility policy for blue badges, the assessors decided that the degree of her mobility impairment was “not to a qualifying level”.

Following an appeal, the original decision was upheld and she was asked to cut up her existing badge and return it.

Mrs Timson’s doctor, Rekha Raja, explained how her patient has arthritis in her knees and shoulders, suffers from back pain and previously had a deep vein thrombosis and a stroke – all of which impact on her mobility.

This was backed up with evidence from Susan Pearson, a physiotherapist, who cited serious problems with Mrs Timson’s left leg.

Theresa Hughes, who lives next-door to Mrs Timson and has campaigned for the decision to be reversed on behalf of her neighbour, said she was “disgusted” with the decision.

“It is outrageous and unforgivable,” she said. “The fact that Mrs Timson walked 120m in her initial assessment and 100m in her appeal is not an indication of how much pain she was in.

“Anyone with any common sense can see that Mrs Timson is disabled. [The assessors] will have to suffer the consequences if she falls while she is out shopping or going to the hospital because she was unable to park nearer.”

Mrs Hughes described the assessment as “ridiculous” and the treatment of her neighbour as “cruel” given her condition.

Access Independent were contacted for a response but could not comment at the time.