A disabled man from Oakworth is threatening to blockade a bus unless a local transport company changes its policy for wheelchair passengers.

Richard Lovett claims he has been told by Keighley & District Travel that he can no longer mount a bus in his wheelchair and must walk on instead.

He used to travel on the 717 service from Oakworth into Keighley with a helper, who assisted him when he was mounting and alighting the vehicle.

The 32-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, claims the company also told him he must now transfer from his wheelchair to a bus seat on journeys.

The bus company says that under changes to disability discrimination laws it would be operating illegally and negligently if it allowed him to use the bus while remaining in his wheelchair.

Richard says the decision has left him unable to use the buses and says that unless the company comes to a compromise he will ask others to join in a physical protest.

He says: "I've been using buses for about five years now and I have never had problems with the drivers before, who have always been very helpful.

"I have been allowed to be wheeled on to the bus and sit in my chair but recently I was told by the bus company that I would no longer be able to use the bus as I had done until they have made arrangements for proper places for wheelchairs on the buses.

"I was told that I would have to get out of my wheelchair and walk on to the bus and that I would have to sit on a bus seat, which seems ridiculous. I have no problem getting on the kneeling buses in my chair and I really can't understand this new decision.

"Are they going to make every mum take their baby out of their buggy? I would like to see the company reach a compromise but I'm not backing down on this."

Jeff Smith, operations manager for Keighley & District Travel, says: "The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 was updated last year and states that vehicles have to be fitted with a lift or ramp. We've got two smaller vehicles fitted up which operate on our 78 service to Skipton, but the other vehicles aren't wheelchair accessible.

"The buses should also have a special space for wheelchairs and at the moment we only have buggy space, which is totally different."

He added: "Unfortunately, because of this change we would be operating illegally and negligently if we allowed Richard to use the bus as he has been. It's very hard for the driver as they know Richard and the first person we contacted when we realised the changes was Richard.

"Every new vehicle we have from now on will be fitted with wheelchair access."

Mr Smith adds that Metro does provide an access bus in Keighley that is equipped with ramps for disabled people.