A local authority has been urged to improve access to polling stations following complaints that disabled and some elderly people were unable to vote during recent elections.

An Elgin woman claimed she had to leave the town’s Williamson Hall after struggling to get her wheelchair past gravel at its entrance.

Meanwhile, pensioners were deterred from casting their votes at Lossiemouth Community Centre because changes there left them with a long walk to the booths.

Moray Council defended itself against complaints about Williamson Hall, which will also be used for a by-election in July.

A spokesman suggested disabled people who struggle to enter the venue could vote by proxy or by post.

Pamela Cumming, 49, who has MS and breathing difficulties said: “It was an effort to get there, so I was very disappointed when I found I couldn’t even get past the entrance.”