A HOLIDAYMAKER criticised a car hire company after he was refused a vehicle because it said he was too old.

Malcolm Lethbridge, 80, and wife Sandra, 68, of Brookside Close, Colchester, booked a car from Europcar online for their annual two-week break to the Greek island of Kefalonia.

They booked two months before departure and paid £410.

When they arrived, on July 12, the man refused to hand over the keys, saying Mr Lethbridge was too old. Mr Lethbridge, who has a clean UK driving licence, said: “We were stunned and appalled.”

And when Mr Lethbridge asked for his money back, his request was refused. He later discovered the company does not rent cars to drivers over 75 – even though he has hired vehicles in Greece for four years.

When he booked online, he gave his date of birth.

Mr Lethbridge said: “If they had sent the application back and said: ‘I’m sorry we can’t hire you a car’, I would have understood.

I would have been a bit miffed, but we could have made alternative arrangements.”

The couple had to pay for a taxi to their apartment, and used buses during the holiday.

Mr Lethbridge said: “It’s a very remote place and a car is essential.”

The couple complained to the company but are still awaiting a refund. The Gazette contacted Europcar, but it was unable to provide a response before we went to print.