A DAD-of-two says he feels like a prisoner after being refused a renewal for his blue badge – despite having one for the 23 years.

David Grant was denied a new blue badge in September and again last month after visiting an occupational therapist for an examination after an appeal.

Mr Grant, 60, of Clayhall Avenue, Clayhall, has osteoarthritis in his hip which has spread to other parts of his body, including his left shoulder.

A shoulder replacement operation has failed to alleviate the pain.

He said: “Every movement I make is painful. My quality of life is absolutely awful because wherever I go, I can’t park anywhere because I haven’t got a blue badge.

“I feel like a prisoner.”

The blue badge needs to be renewed every three years and Ilford North MP Lee Scott has written to Redbridge Council on behalf of Mr Grant asking it to reassess his case with a view to overturning its decision.

Mr Grant said: “I’m not on any benefits or anything. I’ve been made to feel like I’m trying to get something that I wasn’t entitled to.

“I just don’t understand why I haven’t been given a renewal.”

The report by the occupational therapist noted there was “no evidence of considerable pain”, but Mr Grant says he is in “constant pain”.

A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: “The eligibility guidelines for blue badges are set by the Department for Transport and were changed in January 2008.

“Mr Grant has been assessed and was not found to be eligible under the revised government guidelines.”