A disabled woman claims she has been the victim of "embarrassing" discrimination after a cab firm questioned her personal hygiene and banned her from using their vehicles.

Sue Wall, 63, suffers from a condition called weeping cellulitis - a painful infection of the legs that can emit an unpleasant odour.

The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated, so Miss Wall (pictured right) takes medication and receives regular assistance from medical professionals.

Miss Wall, of Beechholme Drive, Kennington, Ashford, is reliant on public transport to get around and regularly uses Ashford Taxis.

On one occasion when her illness was particularly bad, she advised her driver about what was happening - and explained the odour.

But the next time she attempted to book a car through the company to take her shopping, she was refused on the grounds of "poor personal hygiene".

Miss Wall said: "I felt devastated by the reaction of Ashford Taxis and the incident has knocked my confidence severely.

"I am appalled by their rudeness and feel that a well placed apology could have alleviated a lot of mental suffering on my part."

Miss Wall contacted her borough councillor Michael Claughton, who took the matter up on her behalf.

Cllr Claughton said: "I have met with the council's licensing officer Jack Godley and we contacted Ashford Taxis.

"I am very displeased to learn that the matter has not been addressed and an apology made by the company, given what must have been very personal and distressful circumstances for Miss Wall."

Sue Wall has been banned by Ashford Taxis

A spokesman for Ashford Taxis said other cab firms in the town had either banned Sue Wall or refused to pick her up.

In a statement, the company said: "Miss Wall would leave a terrible odour behind in the taxis, so much so that it was embarrassing to pick up other customers until the stench cleared away.

"We have had to have the cars valeted at a cost to us and meaning that the driver concerned has been off the road, unable to work and not earning money.

"We do, of course, sympathise with Miss Wall's condition but have to consider other members of the public and our staff’s health and wellbeing."

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