Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was taken aback by a recent visit from a highwayman accompanied by a posse of disability service users.

The contingent bore a petition, signed by 30,000 people, and launched by Leonard Cheshire, the UK's largest provider of services to disabled people. It called for entitlement for free personal care as well as nursing care for those who need it. ?Charging disabled people for these services can seriously affect their lives,? the petition stated.

Bryan Dutton, Director General of Leonard Cheshire, explains: ?Essential personal care services are not a luxury and are not chosen. Many disabled people, even those on Income Support and already badly off are being thrown into further poverty by these charges?.

Highwayman Stephen O'Malley