A man was left stranded after being refused access to a city bus when trying to get home.

Raymond Stoker lives in Horns Lane, off Ber Street, and wasn't allowed to get on to a First bus on Saturday, April 22 after a day at his friend's house in Earlham.

He says the incident has made him feel discriminated against.

Norwich Evening News: Raymond Stoker, 70, says he feels discriminated against after being refused access on to a First Bus due to his mobility scooterRaymond Stoker, 70, says he feels discriminated against after being refused access on to a First Bus due to his mobility scooter (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Stoker, 70, said: "I got on the bus no problem but when I went to go home, from Earlham, around 5pm the bus driver said I couldn't get on.

"They said it was because of the size of my mobility scooter - but it's one which can be folded up and is no larger than a suitcase.

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Norwich Evening News: Mr Stoker says the fold up mobility scooter cost him around £1000 which he says some people can't affordMr Stoker says the fold up mobility scooter cost him around £1000 which he says some people can't afford (Image: Newsquest)

"I haven't had any issues with it before so I don't know why it seems like they're discriminating against people in mobility scooters."

Chris Speed, operations director at First Eastern Counties, said: "Wheelchair and mobility scooter users have priority access to the dedicated space.

"All users of mobility scooters should contact us to undertake a safety assessment to ensure they can get on and off the bus safely without obstructing the aisles and other passengers. 

Norwich Evening News: First Bus said we have no plans to change our current arrangements regarding use of mobility scootersFirst Bus said we have no plans to change our current arrangements regarding use of mobility scooters (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)

"Our buses are getting busier, meaning dedicated space is becoming more sought after, so we ask all passengers who travel with us to be helpful and vacate the space if a wheelchair or mobility scooter user is waiting to board.

"We have no plans to change our current arrangements."

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Norwich Evening News: Mr Stoker says that more elderly people will get stranded if this issue continuesMr Stoker says that more elderly people will get stranded if this issue continues (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Stoker believes that more older people will be abandoned if this issue continues, adding: "Other people are going to get left stranded if this continues, if they haven't been already.

"How can you tell someone to have a certain-sized scooter when they can be really expensive?

"Mine cost £1,000 - some people just can't afford that."