A DISABLED businessman who has an incurable condition says he was shocked and appalled to be labelled a fake by a stranger.

Peter Grinnall, who owns a hot tub business, was left a voicemail message by a stranger who had seen him park his company van in a disabled bay at Morrisons supermarket in Evesham.

In the message, left on Mr Grinnall’s work phone, the mystery man calls him a “large, tall, fat, bald-headed man” and says he will not be buying a spa from him in the future.

But Mr Grinnall, who suffers from the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis, says he was displaying his blue badge, granted to him by Wychavon District Council 13 years ago.

Mr Grinnall, aged 39, of Bretforton Road, Badsey, near Evesham, said: “He assumed that because I have a sign written van and work that I was not disabled and did not qualify for a blue badge.

“I have been a blue badge holder for nearly 13 years and have come across this type of prejudice before, from traffic wardens, members of the public and even police officers but I am always willing to show my badge to anyone that politely asks.

“The illness that I have is incurable and at times means that I have to park close to an entrance or on double/single yellow lines and at present I am lucky enough that with the help of my workmates I am able to work, I also do not claim any other help or benefits to do with my illness.”

Mr Grinnall, who runs Complete Spas in Blackminster Business Park, near Evesham, said he would not contact the police over the phonecall, but had considered it.

“I am saddened that the gentleman or his carer who saw me did not ask to see my badge but thought it better to leave me an insulting message on my work phone without leaving his number for me to be able to contact him and discuss the matter.

"I was quite shocked to get it and I also don’t know why he left such an insult about how I look when it doesn’t relate too to me parking, legally, in a disabled bay.”