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Cornwall Council has changed its blue badge eligibility process after a St Austell man was told he was not disabled enough to qualify for one - despite only having one leg.

Amputee Chris Witt, 65, lost his left leg after getting a blister on his toe while on holiday in Tenerife in 2016.

Due to Chris’ diabetes the tiny blister became ulcerated and turned into an infection, which spread into the bones in his foot.

Antibiotics failed to treat the infection, which became so severe that surgeons were forced to remove Chris’ leg below the knee.

Chris was given the three-year blue badge in 2015 after he had some toes amputated, which affected his mobility and balance.

But his new prosthetic leg slightly enhanced his mobility, and a result Cornwall Council said in 2018 that he did not meet national criteria for the badge which is set out by the government.

Chris appealed the decision, stating he couldn’t park in normal spaces.

The retired company director said he needed the badge to park in spaces where he could fully open his car door, allowing him to swing his prosthetic leg out.

At the time, Chris said the council should show "a level of discretion, compassion and common sense" in the case.

Now, over a year later, Cornwall Council has decided it will make exceptions to the rules in certain cases.

The guidance now reads: “There are some exceptional cases which fail the appeals process but may be considered a worthy case to award a blue badge.

“It was agreed the easiest and most efficient way to address the motion was to enhance the current guidelines which would allow exceptional cases, which do not fall within the current guidelines, to be successful in their application.”

Richard Pears, Cornwall councillor for Mount Charles, said it was “a victory for common sense”.

He added: “I am pleased to see Cornwall Council has done the right thing and amended its guidance to allow compassion and discretion to be shown when certain cases don’t tick all the boxes.”

Cornwall councillor for Mevagissey James Mustoe added: “I am pleased that Cornwall Council has stopped trying to pass the buck back to central government and has now decided to use its powers to make these changes, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on residents who are trying to not allow their disabilities to determine what they can and cannot do.”