A family is fuming after a woman who struggles to walk was told she did not meet the criteria for a blue parking badge.

Yasmin Mulligan, from Long Stratton, was told by Norfolk County Council that her mum, Lavinia Gossland, had been refused as she did not meet the automatic eligibility criteria.

The 72-year-old, who was widowed after the death of her husband last year, has numerous health issues, including a partially severed sciatic nerve causing her severe mobility problems. She does not hold a driving licence.

Martin Wilby, the cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said that applications uses nationally set criteria to assess applicants, seek evidence, and carry out reviews.

Medical evidence is not required other than self-reporting and where this isn’t available, an applicant can request an assessment with an occupational therapist.

Mrs Mulligan received the reply to the application on March 21, four months after making the original application.

“I was fuming," Mrs Mulligan said. "We have been waiting for ages and to be refused under the circumstances, which they have not explained fully to me, it has left me extremely angry.

“The system is there to help people - they should not be forced to jump through rings to get support.

“I would ask the council to come and visit my mum, you’ll get a good idea of just how disabled she is.”

Mrs Mulligan says the blue badge will allow her to take her mum, who currently lives in Costessey, into the city centre and provide ease of access.

Mr Wilby, said: “We have a tried and tested application process, using nationally set eligibility criteria, which allows us to carefully assess applications, seek further evidence where necessary, and carry out a review where appropriate.

“We do ask that applications be supported by medical evidence which demonstrates the impact that the applicants' conditions have upon their mobility, as we are unable to issue blue badges based on reported issues that are not supported by medical evidence.

“People are also able to ask for an appeal following review, which would then be the final decision.”