Parking car out of reach – when you are 3ft 6in

Parking charges for the disabled have found an unexpected victim – a man so small he cannot reach the ticket machines.

James Coyle-King, who suffers from a rare and extreme form of dwarfism, is 3ft 6in tall – or slightly more, when using his wheelchair.

The 18-year-old student, from Brant Road in Lincoln, has a car specially designed to meet his needs and loves to drive around in it.

But he is now unable to park anywhere – and has to rely on his mum to drive him around instead.

The situation is making life very difficult for the arts student.

"The machines are too high, and it's quite awkward," he said.

James' mother Linda King is far from happy about the impact the changes have had on her son.

She was told by council officials that he could get pre-paid tickets at a cost of £5.71 a day.

But this is far more than someone would pay for the short visits to town he often makes.

"James is exceptionally small," said Mrs King. "You can't really expect them to look at everything.

"But couldn't they make an exception here?"

The move to charge blue badge holders to park in city council car parks is being challenged in the courts.

Cerebral palsy sufferer Matt Smith, 28, is to fight the charging scheme in the High Court.

City of Lincoln Council head of community services, leisure and sport Steve Bird, Head of Community Services said: "We are very sympathetic to Mr Coyle-King and recognise that it is difficult for him to use the machines."

He said the council's machines were compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (2000).

He also said that alternative ways to pay for parking were available such as an automated phone service and scratch cards which can be bought by phone.

Council car parks are also fully staffed, he said.