The women wanted a day out in Bridlington

Mary Booker, 66, who has Multiple Sclerosis, and arthritic Dora Alcock, 70, were told the train to Bridlington was not equipped to take more than one electric wheelchair.

The disappointed women from Sheffield refused to travel on separate trains run by Arriva Trains Northern and instead were forced to abandon their travel plans.

They claim rival train companies allow at least two wheelchairs on their carriages.

It is unfortunate that we cannot cope with every need of every person Ray Fell, Arriva Trains Northern

Friend Sue Jackson, who was due to travel the 80 miles with the women, said: "Mary and Dora are very disappointed and I am disgusted.

"It is discrimination in my book. It seems the train company is saying that if you are disabled you cannot travel with a friend or partner with a similar condition and you are on your own.

"They travel everywhere together but on this occasion they wanted to go to the seaside and now they cannot go."

Arriva spokesman Ray Fell said the company had no plans to increase the number of wheelchair places available on its carriages.

"At the moment these are the facilities that we provide," he said.

"We would dearly like to be able to take more wheelchairs on our trains but have no plans for more rolling stock.

"It is unfortunate that we cannot cope with every need of every person."