A TALK on the diversity of disability at a Bewdley hotel had to be cancelled because wheelchair users could not reach the first floor room where it was to be held.

Disability Action (Wyre Forest) member, Pat Baker, found herself effectively barred from the event at the Ramada Hotel because there was no lift.

The presentation by disability consultant, Paul Mouzer, who is deaf, had been planned as part of a trade fair organised by the Wyre Forest Business Club.

Mark Lawley, chairman of Disability Action, said that after complaining, the hotel agreed to move the talk to the ground floor but, by that time, people who had been interested had wandered off.

Mrs Baker, Mr Lawley and colleague, Eileen Foxall, were there to run a display stand on disability awareness for local businesses attending the fair.

Mr Lawley said wheelchair users also had to struggle with the help of carers to gain access to the hotel because a ramp outside from the car park to the entrance missed a step.

He said his group was "very disappointed" that the event had to be cancelled and is pressing the hotel to ensure it complies with improved disability access under the Disability Discrimination Act, which comes into force on October 1.

"This was very poor service when the presentation was on disability and was on the first floor with no lift," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Ramada's owners, Jarvis Hotels, said an audit on disability access had been completed across all its hotels.

"As a result, we have recognised the need to carry out various works at a number of our properties, which will improve the quality of service and range of products available to all of our guests.

"Capital has been allocated to complete these works by October 2004," she added.

Meanwhile, Mr Lawley was meeting Wyre Forest District Council officers on Tuesday to discuss access improvements which are to be made to council offices in the wake of the new legislation.

Council chief executive, Walter Delin, said only minor works were necessary to ensure that reception areas were accessible and that meeting rooms were available for people with disabilities.

He added only the cash office next to the Guildhall in Bewdley would not be ready by October 1 but it would comply with the Act by November, at the latest.

"I do not see any major problem so long as we keep a dialogue going with Disability Action and I am confident we will meet out requirements with the Disability Discrimination Act," added Mr Delin.