CAMPAIGNERS are calling for Government action to tackle the problem of disabled motorists being prevented from using reserved parking bays.

They believe the problem in Darlington is as bad as ever, with supermarkets among the chief culprits for not doing enough to combat the issue.

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo reported how the manager of the town's Asda store had faced threats of violence from able-bodied shoppers who parked in disabled areas.

Campaign group Baywatch also produced a survey suggesting that more than one-in-five reserved parking spaces are blocked by vehicles not displaying a disabled badge.

Yesterday, Darlington Association on Disability warned that swift action was needed to address the matter.

Chairman Gordon Pybus said: "Unless something is laid down in legislation, things just won't change.

"We haven't had time with our volunteers to get out and do surveys on it, but if we do, some places won't take any notice anyway.

"It is going to take Government action. What the supermarkets say is, 'we won't let our staff be accosted by people when we ask them to move'. It's not just the supermarkets, though, it can be any private car park.

"We have experienced problems at the Arts Centre, but places could argue that if they only have three or four parking bays is it really worth paying someone to monitor them all day?"

Mr Pybus said: "It's a very serious problem that is stopping a lot of disabled people from going out and getting their shopping."

The campaign to eradicate the problem has won high-profile backing from Paralympic gold medal winner Tanni Grey-Thompson, from Redcar, who has stressed the need for supermarkets to be more sensitive.

Disabled bays at Asda's Whinbush Way store are monitored by staff, who will ask able-bodied drivers to move if they park there.

Other companies have increased the number of parking spaces reserved for disabled drivers, but campaigners hope further action will still be forthcoming.