A YORK pensioner with chronic breathing difficulties has slammed the council after she was refused a disability badge and granted no right of appeal.

Eighteen months ago, Barbara Carder-Geddes, from Dringhouses, developed lung cancer and was admitted to hospital to have her right lung removed.

Since then, she has experienced frequent bouts of breathlessness, which are exacerbated by even light physical exertion, such as climbing stairs or walking short distances.

So Mrs Carder-Geddes decided to consult her doctor about getting a disability badge.

The blue badges, formerly orange, are a nationwide initiative, providing parking concessions for people with walking difficulties.

She said: "I have difficulty carrying shopping bags out to the car, because I run out of breath so easily.

"My doctor said he thought I would be eligible for a badge, so I sent off an application form," said Mrs Carder-Geddes, 75, who walks with a stick.

However, when she heard back from City of York Council, she was horrified to learn her application had been refused. She then wrote another application, explaining her difficulty with breathing, but again, this was refused.

"I got a letter back almost immediately, telling me I wasn't eligible. It seems complete nonsense, because I wasn't even given a medical assessment."

But a City of York Council spokeswoman said the criteria for eligibility were very specific.

"The rules for receiving a badge are based on the ability to walk and to qualify there must be a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking."

"If someone meets the basic criteria, they will be referred to a physiotherapist for an assessment.

"However, in many cases, people who may have partially restricted mobility may not even meet the initial criteria."

But Mrs Carder-Geddes said it was unfair that her application had been denied without a proper assessment.

"The council says the badges are for people with severe walking problems. But just because my limbs are OK, it doesn't mean I don't have trouble walking.

"Legs don't work independently of the rest of the body - you need the breath in the first place," she said.

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, February 02, 2005