A DRIVER has refused to pay an airport parking ticket as she claims she has been "discriminated" against because of her disability.

Blue badge holder Denise Blunt visited Shoreham Airport with her 94-year-old friend and parked in a disabled bay.

When Mrs Blunt, 68, of Seaford, went to pay at the nearest machine she found an out of order notice.

It told visitors to pay at another "nearby" machine but the pair, who both have problems walking, could not see one or any staff to ask for help.

When they returned from their lunch Mrs Blunt had been handed a £60 parking fine for failing to display a ticket in the £1 an hour car park.

She said that on appealing the decision she was told a reduced early payment rate of £30 would be honoured if her complaint was rejected.

But another letter from Ethical Parking Management - which polices parking at the site - rejected her claim over the incident in May and failed to honour that agreement. They demanded she paid £60 or threatened calling in debt collectors, she said.

Three months later Mrs Blunt is still refusing to give in.

She said: "I've no problem paying for parking but it's unfair to expect people to pay when the machines are not working.

"The one right next to the disabled bays was out of order, we couldn't see another one nearby or any staff to ask.

"We struggle to walk far so weren't going to start hunting around the car park.

"This is discrimination against disabled people. They are called Ethical Parking Management but this doesn't sound very ethical to me. I'm not paying for it."

Brighton City Airport Ltd bosses said they take disabled parking "seriously" and they are considering free parking for blue badge holders.

A company spokeswoman said it was "carefully considering" all aspects of the incident and is in talks with Ethical Parking Management.

She said: "We take our responsibilities around parking for the disabled seriously and we try to maximise the opportunity for everyone to visit the airport with equality. We provide easy access parking bays for the disabled and facilities at the airport have been improved for the disabled in terms of ramps, electric doors and disabled toilets.

"We also have to balance these measures with effective car parking control for the benefit of all through Ethical Parking Management, due to past experiences and issues with parking at the airport.

"We charge just £1 for one hour for parking at the airport, which we feel offers good value for visitors. We hope to make a further announcement soon with regard to the possibility of free parking for blue badge holders in designated bays at the airport."

Worthing-based Ethical Parking Management did not respond when contacted by The Argus.