A DISABLED man has been forced to walk nearly two miles to a training centre after a bus company axed stops as part of a service shake-up.

Philip Hall, of Parkeston Road, Dovercourt, catches the number 4 service run by First Essex from his home to Clacton to attend the training placement at Oakwood Packaging.

The 43-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, used to be able to get off at Clacton Common just metres from the centre where he goes three times a week.

But after the changes were introduced on September 1 the nearest stop is now the Blacksmith Arms in Little Clacton - a 1.7 mile walk along a busy main road.

His mum Deana, 74, said: “We can’t get there now. We tried on Monday and he had to get off at the nearest stop, over a mile away and walk across two bust roundabouts. It is not particularly safe.”

A spokesman for First said: "Routine service changes came into effect on September 1. Clacton Common is still served by both services 10 and 11 however service 4 has been altered to improve punctuality."