AN Old Hall mum has been thanking Warrington Guardian readers for their offers of help after she appealed for a wheelchair taxi to take her on her first night out with her daughter in years.

Carol Hill, from Old Hall, was looking forward to seeing comedian Nina Conti with her daughter Emma on Friday and David Gest's (I've Had) The Time Of My Life Tour on Tuesday with two friends.

But after ringing around 'every taxi number she could find', not one company could offer her a lift in her electric wheelchair.

An appeal for help on the Warrington Guardian website saw hundreds of people share, comment and contact the newsdesk offering to drive Carol to both shows before the MS Society stepped in and organised a lift for the 58-year-old and her 19-year-old daughter.

The mum-of-one, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 19 years ago, added: "I was so very grateful and touched by the number of people who got in touch.

"I really thought I would not be able to go on the first night out with my daughter in years and years and I knew the stress of it would make all my symptoms worse and have a knock-on effect.

"Andy from 242 cabs normally looks after me but sadly he's away and the buses don't run that late.

"He gave me some numbers but I couldn't believe it when they told me they either didn't have a disability taxi or they didn't have one available.

"When I got the call from the MS Society it was like half a tonne of concrete had been lifted off my shoulders and we had a great night."

The incident raised questions over the number of wheelchair taxis in the town but a Warrington Borough Council spokesman has confirmed Warrington has 64 wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Carol added: "I didn't go out at all last year because it's so much hassle now.

"I don't understand why it's so much easier for able-bodied people to book taxis in advance?"

Khalid Hashmi, general secretary of Warrington Hackney Owners and Drivers Association, was also surprised by the news.

He added: "Saturday nights or Christmas Eve or Boxing Day can be booked far in advance but I don't see why there should be a problem otherwise.

"Companies could have offered an earlier or later time for picking up rather than total refusal."

But the Warrington branch of the MS Society confirmed it has been a problem in the town for a number of members.

Paul Harrison, Warrington branch chairman, said: “Some taxis in the Warrington area are very good at providing a wheelchair accessible service, we hope that all companies in the area will aim to reach this standard.

"There are 100,000 people living with MS in the UK and accessible transport can be an important factor in helping people live independent lives.”