A Maidstone mum who cares for her daughter is furious at council red tape meaning a disabled parking badge renewal will take eight weeks to process.

Nikki Archer’s daughter Monique has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound. She lives in an adapted house and requires round-the-clock care.

The family were told about the delay when they went to renew their badge.

Blue badge holders need to repeat the paperwork for the pass every three years unless the holder is terminally ill, but Nikki argues her daughter’s condition will never improve.

She said: “The fact we have to renew this is ridiculous – her cerebral palsy is never going to expire, is it?”

Monique, 22, enjoys bowling and visiting Mote Park but now even vital trips into town are fraught with trying to find suitable parking spaces.

Ms Archer, a self-employed hairdresser and interior designer, added: “We have to get a new passport photo of her, which is difficult as she hates it. Also because of her cerebral palsy she often has her eyes shut in the photo, which they don’t accept.”

The mum of two and her partner Richard Jones have spent hours on the phone trying to get the situation resolved.

Kent County Council says people are able to apply for a blue badge three months before it expires and its stated on forms it can take between four-six weeks to process an application.

It is understood Monique's badge expired in September and a new one has not yet been applied for.

Ms Archer, who until recently was Monique’s sole carer, has also had to fight tooth and nail for even essential items like nappies.

She is allowed to get specialist ones free from her doctor’s surgery but often has to argue her case.

Ms Archer said: “Anyone would think I was asking for a Prada handbag. They’re nappies!”

But she explained that Mon­ique, who went to Five Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, chooses her own music to listen to, has a fantastic sense of humour and lives life to the full.

“She loves motorbikes and anything with speed. We have always done normal things as a family – she has been to water parks with me and she went on the train in Mote Park.”

Without the blue badge such trips will be more difficult.

Kent County Council confirmed the reason for a three-year renewal was to prevent fraud.