CASE STUDY - BRENDA Trigance-Clarke, aged 58, has been a registered blue badge holder since 1979 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

In recent years, she says it has become so hard to park in Bolton town centre that she stays away and shops elsewhere.

And she has launched a scathing attack on people who misuse blue badges.

She said: "Although I walk, my mobility is very limited in terms of distance so I need to park somewhere where I can easily reach the shops.

"Those spaces are in the middle of town and for that reason they appeal very much to a lazy minority who misuse blue badges.

"It's become so difficult to park that I don't go into Bolton unless I absolutely have to.

"Some of it is down to reduced parking, but the scale of people using somebody else's blue badge is a real problem.

"What I would say to those people is You like my space, but how would you like to cope with my disability.' This operation has been brilliant and I hope it is extended towns like Horwich and Westhoughton where exactly the same problem applies."

Ian Cooper, aged 42, is the secretary of Bolton Active Disabled Group for Everyone (BADGE) and has used a wheelchair since 1980 when he was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition. "You find yourself constantly driving round and round trying to find somewhere to park," he said.

"People who misuse blue badges for their own greed and convenience are depriving people who need to be able to park close to shops.

"Hopefully this operation will bring an end to that."