Not many people know that 2003 is the European Year of the Disabled.

As a disabled driver myself, I have chosen to mark it with a call for help at petrol stations.

Years ago, there was always someone there to assist you at the pumps.

Whether you are disabled at birth or through age, it gets very hard to struggle out of the car, stand while you are pouring the petrol and then have to walk across to the kiosk to pay.

There is only one garage in Barry I know of who will send someone to help on request, and that's Andrew Smith's on Cardiff Road.

Many people don't like to ask. Apart from the fear of embarrassment, it injures your pride if you have to lean on others.

With the money that these petrol companies make, isn't it possible they could employ someone to hold the position of pump assistant once more.

There are many people who cannot manage tasks like this.

In the Year of the Disabled why not bring back such a service that would make such a huge difference to so many people?

Pat Rendall-Walmsley Claude Road West