A DISABLED shopper has criticised a superstore in Borehamwood for the lack of mobility scooters available for customers.

Carol Ellison, 50, from Edgware, has spine condition, lumbar spondylitis, and uses Tesco, in Shenley Road, for her weekly shop.

She got the condition at the age of 31 when her spine collapsed and is now held up by metal disks. She uses a specially-created wheelchair and due to a lack of alternative transport has to travel by taxi to the store.

The mother-of-two said: “The scooters are not only for disabled people but for the elderly and even for people who maybe have their leg in plaster.

“How can they have only two mobility scooters for such a huge store?"

Mrs Ellison has used the store for two years and can not afford to buy a computer to do online shopping.

She added: “The reason I go to Tesco is it is so big and has everything there including clothes.

“Four weeks ago when I went one of the scooters was half charged and the other one wasn’t charged at all.

“Prior to that for several weeks the scooters were not working. You can’t find out whether the scooters work until you get there as you can’t book them.

“You only find out when you go and sit on them and they get the key and realise it doesn’t work."

Mrs Ellisons spends up to £30 going to the store by taxi. She said: "I spend about £12 one way and then tip the taxi driver because he or she helps me to get the shopping in so in total it costs about £30 per journey.

“I came home crying in a cab once when I couldn’t get my shopping. I am not looking for compensation. I just want to highlight the issue as it becomes such a terrible situation when this happens and is really frustrating.

“I have been told they can’t afford any more of them. If I won the lottery I would donate ten scooters to their store.

“They say every little helps but they are not prepared to go the extra mile for their customers. I’ve not been able to properly shop in weeks. My condition, along with arthritis, means it’s the only time I really get to go out and do something so it is a very big deal for me.”

Tesco spokesman Rory Stoves confirmed the store in Shenley Road has two scooters.

He said: "We appreciate Mrs Ellison's frustration and on those rare occasions when the scooters are already being used by other customers, we will make a member of staff available to assist her with her shopping.

“We will also make a member of staff available when the scooters are not working.”