By Ruth Davidson BBC Scotland, Glasgow

Disabled children are the victims of a postcode lottery, it is claimed

They say they are having to wait longer for wheelchairs than families elsewhere because the service which provides them has been told to cut provision in Fife.

Enabling Technology for Children (ETC) was set up to provide wheelchairs and mobility units for under-18s across Fife and Lothian and Borders.

But a health board review has caused a sharp rise in equipment waiting times.

In a statement, NHS Fife said increased funding had been made available compared to last year and added that it was committed with NHS Lothian to finding a way forward.

But parents of children with disabilities say they are far from impressed.

When I take her out, I find yet another mark and it is just so demoralising Elaine Walker

Elaine Walker's six-year-old daughter Kirsty had already waited five months for her first chair when she was told it would take extra time because of where she lived.

Kirsty, who has Down's Syndrome and cerebral palsy, has grown out of her specially-made buggy and urgently needs a replacement.

Mrs Walker said: "The shoulder straps leave bruises, cuts and marks on her. The backs of her arms are now getting cut from the straps.

"The straps round her thighs also dig in. If we're out for a while, she starts screaming and crying and gets really upset - not just protesting - but really upset.

"When I take her out, I find yet another mark and it is just so demoralising. You just look at all the marks on her and think 'this isn't right'."

'Unfair treatment'

Kirsty has been waiting for her first proper wheelchair since May and was finally measured for it two weeks ago by ETC.

But Mrs Walker, a former doctor, said she was told Kirsty would have to wait longer for her chair than other children, because she comes from Fife.

She said: "To work in the health service as I did, you think you're going to treat everyone the same and that everyone has access to the same treatment.

"When you find out that it is not like that, you have to fight, but not everyone is able to fight and it is unfair."

We are committed, with NHS Lothian, to find a way forward NHS Fife

After speaking to service providers, BBC Scotland has learned that NHS Fife agreed to accept a reduced level of service while a review was carried out.

Those providers did not know when the review was due to finish, or when services would return to normal.

Dunfermline MSP Scott Barrie said he had been contacted by concerned parents and had made representations to the health board.

"It would appear that people in Fife are not getting the same level of service as people in other parts of Scotland", he said.

Mr Barrie added: "If that is the case, then it needs to be remedied as quickly as possible."

NHS statement

A statement issued on behalf of George Brechin, chief executive of NHS Fife, said: "Increased funding has been made available compared to last year and we are committed, with NHS Lothian, to find a way forward.

"We are looking into individual cases but cannot comment on them publicly."

NHS Lothian confirmed that increased funding from NHS Fife had been received, and that it had also put an extra �50,000 towards reducing the waiting list.

Margaret Scott, who campaigned for the formation of ETC, said she was devastated by its current state caused, she says, by under investment.

"It's hardly believable that there are now so many children on a waiting list, having to wait so long to get an appointment to be seen," she said.

She added: "To realise that we are in that situation is heart-breaking."