ANGRY Brenda Lucas was

looking forward to a three-day mystery weekend with best pal Connie Moor - only to have her dream break ruined.

The couple, aged 82 and 88 respectively, were left waiting for an hour in the freezing cold for their coach, only to find that it had already gone without

them - meaning they missed their holiday.

Now Mrs Lucas's friend Dr Gordon Megson has taken up the pensioners' case and is demanding compensation for their ordeal which he claims badly affected their health.

Dr Megson said that although coach company, Steel's of Addingham, sent a brief note of apology to the ladies and a full refund, it is not enough for the hassle and heartache they have faced.

He said that the mystery weekend tour was scheduled to leave the Jubilee clock in Otley Market Square at 8.15am on March 24, but despite getting there five

minutes early, the pensioners waited for more than an hour without the coach turning up.

A friend stayed with them but was unable to get in touch with Steel's office.

When the friend finally managed to get through to the company after 9am she was allegedly told that the coach had passed through Market Square at 7.40am - 35 minutes before the scheduled time.

Dr Megson said: "It appears that there had been no attempt to determine the whereabouts of Mrs Lucas or Mrs Moor.

"Neither are in the best of health and that morning was bitterly cold, particularly in the Market Square which is exposed when the weather is windy.

As a result of this extremely distressing experience both ladies suffered adverse effects. Mrs Lucas said she developed a migraine which lasted three days, that led to accompanying insomnia and caused her to cancel two important appointments, while Mrs Moor's back problem was said to have been exacerbated.

Mrs Lucas was also very upset at the inconvenience caused to the friend who had taken them to Market Square.

"I know that Mrs Lucas has been a very good customer of Steel's and that she has made further bookings for this year. In light of this and the above facts, I believe that both ladies are entitled to compensation."

Steel's were unavailable for comment.

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