The couple wanted a temporary ticket for about six months

Paul and Cathy Myles suffered multiple injuries in the crash six months ago and still cannot walk long distances.

They asked for a parking permit but the county council said they only qualified if they were permanently disabled, in line with national guidelines.

It has offered them help to park in Lewes, where they live. The government said the system is to change next year.

Waiver issued

The couple, from Lewes, wanted a temporary blue badge to be able to park in disabled bays anywhere.

Mrs Myles said: "They said that really we had to be permanantly disabled.

"We were looking for the possibility of a temporary disabled ticket for about six months to a year.

"This would help us because we could not park our car anywhere else because we could not get out."

Car clamped

The couple said they have been clamped for parking in a disabled bay in Brighton.

An East Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: "The county council is unable to issue a blue badge to the couple as Department for Transport guidelines state these can only go to people with permanent disabilities.

"The county council has moved quickly to help and issued the couple with a waiver which means they can park at the top of School Hill near the doctor, bank and chemist, where they want to go, on a double yellow line for no more than an hour for one month."

The waiver could continue if the council received a letter from the couple's doctor, the spokeswoman said.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The recent review recommended we introduce temporary blue badges.

"It is hoped these will be introduced during the first half of next year."