PLANS for a Shopmobility unit providing scooters and buggies for elderly and disabled shoppers in Weymouth are under threat.

The borough council is set to pull out of an agreement with charity Wheels for Freedom after councillors said they did not want to work with the organisation.

Nearly four years ago the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council pledged to support the group, which currently operates a Weymouth Shopmobility scheme out of Park Street car park, in their bid for a permanent home with a grant of £23,000 per year.

However, members of the council's management committee appear to have run out of patience with the lack of progress as they voted to look for other alternatives.

Councillor Howard Legg said he was concerned by the low numbers of people currently using the scheme and insufficient management' shown by Wheels for Freedom.

He said: "They have had four years and I am fed up with it, I want to have a service which we can provide to people without adversely affecting others."

Coun Christine James added: "I'm not against it but I think we need to go about it in the right way, in the right place and with the right people."

Former councillor Andy Blackwood addressed the committee to urge them to support the Shopmobility plans. He said: "There is a danger of this council being seen as unsympathetic to the needs of the disabled.

"Shopmobility and Wheels for Freedom have been messed around by some members of this council and they have missed out as a result on possible lottery funding."

Coun Anne Kenwood advised members to consider deferring a decision for two months for the charity to come up with evidence of its funding arrangements.

She said: "I am very concerned that we should be seen to be doing our best for disabled people. I feel very strongly that we should give them an extra two months."

However, the committee backed a proposal put forward by Coun Legg to pull out of the existing project and investigate alternative schemes.