A DISABLED man has criticised Tesco for failing to provide a mobility scooter.

John Noskavich-Smith, 49, of Gorse Walk, Colchester, said most times he had visited the Colchester Hythe store, in Greenstead Road, no scooters were available.

Tesco apologised but said one of its scooter had been vandalised and the other was broken.

Mr Noskavich-Smith, who struggles to walk on crutches, said: “It has happened nearly every time I have been in the last three or four months.

“I have been paying someone £5 to go with me. I have to pay for a cab there, pay for someone to help me shop and for a cab home. Where have equal rights gone? All shops are meant to cater for disabled people.”

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are sorry we were unable to help Mr Noskavich-Smith and have apologised. In the meantime, both mobility scooters have been fixed.”