SOUTHWICK pensioner Mary Setch was forced to walk through a kitchen at the village hall to vote in the EU referendum after Wiltshire Council failed to provide a wheelchair ramp at the polling station.

The 84-year-old, who voted in the first referendum in 1975, wanted to vote in person in such a historic day for the UK but was left annoyed at the length she had to go to.

Mrs Setch’s daughter Elizabeth Curtis, who is a full time carer to her mum, has since complained to Wiltshire Council but feels her criticism has fallen on deaf ears.

“When we got to the polling station, the entrance to vote was on the side where the social club go and there wasn’t any ramp,” the 60-year-old of Chantry Gardens said.

“I went in to ask where it was and all I got told was that they did ask for one but were denied it. They said because the main entrance to the village hall had a ramp, we could use that.

“But in doing so, we had to go through the kitchen to get to the room where the vote was taking place but the wheelchair was too wide to get through.”

Mrs Curtis said while her mum held onto her and her daughter “for dear life”, she felt that they were subject to unnecessary embarrassment.

“Mum has lived in the same house for 50 years and there must be other people who needed to get in like we did but to go through the kitchen was unhygienic to start with.

“There were people queuing and they had to move to allow her to get through and we had an audience going through the second door much to our embarrassment.

“It was a big day for the UK and everyone needed to vote. If it wasn’t for the fact it was such a big vote, I would have taken her home and not voted at all.

“Surely they have to have ramps for the disabled and elderly and you would think they would have one at each polling station?

“Next time, we will definitely get a postal vote but that shouldn’t have to be an option because of no ramp.”

Wiltshire Council have since apologised for the stress caused to the family and added they try to make every effort to ensure the polling stations are wheelchair accessible.

A spokesman added: “On this occasion, the lady's wheelchair was wider than a standard one which made it difficult for her. We did ensure she was able to vote, and will take this into account when we choose venues for the polling stations next time there is a local election or referendum.”