BLUE badge holders have been left without the lifeline service after claiming that authorities failed to remind them to renew the disabled parking card.

Ann Willis did not receive a warning letter that the badge was due to run out, despite getting numerous ones over the years in the past. She says she will be left for weeks while it is processed.

Mrs Willis, 69, of Horse Road, Trowbridge said: “We were told renewals were no longer being sent out to keep costs down but this just adds to the stress caused for disabled people who already have a lot of other things to think about.

"We will be left without a badge for several weeks now because we didn’t realise it was about to run out. I can use the bus but my husband John can’t walk far. I don’t think that this is a good way for costs to be saved.We rely on the blue badge as do many other people. It is a lifeline for us to be able to get out and about.”

The Department for Transport stopped sending reminders in February.

He said: “The blue badge scheme is run by the Department for Transport.

“Blue badges are issued for a three year period so please make sure you keep an eye on the renewal date which can be found on the badge.

“Having learned to do this the hard way with one of my family’s passports, we keep a list of the renewal dates all together now and check every now and then which one is due for renewal next.

“Wiltshire Council administer the scheme in our area on their behalf in line with the rules of the scheme. In February this year the Department for Transport stopped sending out reminder letters to badge holders when their badges came up for renewal.

“This brought the blue badge system in line with other similar government documents such as passports and driving licences. With all these documents it is the responsibility of the individual holding them to make sure they are valid and up to date.

“Wiltshire Council offers free parking in all our council car-parks to blue badge holders and I would urge anyone who meets the criteria to apply for one.”