A BLIND man says he feels degraded after a taxi driver swore at him outside Warrington Central station.

The Warrington Guardian understands that Edward Green, from Birchwood, was refused a ride because of he has a guide dog.

Mr Green, who has severe myopia, said: “He point blank refused to take me. Someone came to help and pointed to the disabled sticker in the cab.

“But he said that was for wheelchairs and swore at me.

“I felt degraded to not be able to take a taxi like anyone else. I was shocked. I said there was no need to shout at me.”

The law states that taxi drivers cannot discriminate on grounds of disability and Warrington Borough Council says it is taking the incident ‘extremely seriously’.

Another driver from Direct Taxis was parked behind the taxi in the rank and came to Mr Green’s aid.

Tristan Pickwick, administration assistant for Direct Taxis, based at Evans House, said: “Our driver got out and gave assistance. He took the gentleman to his destination after being refused by the driver before him.

“He also made a note of the licence plate number and gave Warrington Borough Council’s phone number for the gentleman to ring and complain. We’re in the process of informing the council.”

The incident occurred on September 12 at 10.15am when Mr Green was making his way to Remploy in Mersey Street.

The taxi driver who refused to take Mr Green and his guide dog, golden retriever Macca, has not been identified.

But Mr Pickwick wanted to clarify that he was not a Direct Taxis driver.

He said: “All our drivers are trained in dealing with customers with various disabilities.

“We currently provide transport to more than 200 disabled people a week in the Warrington area and we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our customers.”

A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council added: “The council is aware of this complaint and is taking it extremely seriously.

“Officers are making arrangements to take a witness statement which will be followed by a thorough investigation and if the results deem it necessary we will take appropriate action.”

Mr Green, aged 29, of Noble Close, Birchwood, said: “I feel disappointed. I just wanted to go somewhere and be treated like anyone else.

“It was a blow to my independence.”