'My son was in tears over Pleasure Beach scrapping free carers passes'

A theme park's plan to start charging disabled visitors' carers has been branded "disgusting" by a father who said his son was left "in tears".

Stephen Melrose, 58, from St Annes, Lancashire, said his 21-year-old autistic son had been given a season pass at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as a Christmas gift by his older brother.

But he said he was shocked to find out that it would now cost £25 for him to accompany his son on each visit.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which reopens this weekend, said the price is "a reasonably adjusted rate, which is less than half the price of our full-priced ticket and cheaper than any promotional or online rate".

Melrose said his younger son had been very excited to receive a £100 disability season pass gift for the Blackpool attraction because he loved to go to theme parks.

He added: "He can see the Pleasure Beach from our house... but because of his condition he wouldn't go on his own.

"If I go with him, then I'm not going on any rides. I'm just there making sure he's alright.

"I'm not going on rides because I'm a big, overweight, fat, 58-year-old bloke with an artificial hip. But he's happy to go on them as long as there's somebody near him."

Melrose said his older son could not afford to pay £25 for every visit.

"You have to inform the Pleasure Beach when you are coming. You can't just turn up. We would go at a quieter time of the the day."

A spokeswoman for Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort said: "We have made this change to essential companions in line with the wider attractions industry and have worked closely with Nimbus Disability, an organisation founded and run by disabled people for disabled people, on making sure this change is reasonable and fair.

"Any bookings made before March 2 are not affected by this change."

But Melrose disputed the claim, saying it was not what the family had been told.

He added: "It's disgusting. I can understand them saying from next season we're doing it, or from now on we're doing it, but they should say to anybody who's previously bought tickets that they will honour them.

"My son is sitting at home and he is crying, he's angry, he's shouting, he's asking me questions."

Melrose said other UK attractions did not charge carers of people who had signed up to the Nimbus scheme which validates disabilities for theme parks.

Websites for Alton Towers and Thorpe Park confirmed that registered disabled customers with valid documentation are allowed one essential companion free of charge.

He also cited Blackpool FC, which grants him free admission to accompany his son to watch matches.

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