A FURIOUS mum is campaigning for better access to the sea for the disabled after her son has been left sweltering in the heat for weeks.

Jacob Whitehouse is 6ft tall and weighs more than 11 stone but his friends and carers have resorted to carrying him across the sand or even dragging him to the sea on a tarpaulin.

Mum April is now appealing for boardwalks to be created to allow Jacob, 18, and others to cool off during a trip to the beach.

And she is being backed by wheelchair-user Pam White who said she is in the same position.

April, who lives in Iford, said: “Jacob’s carers and I take him to the beach at Southbourne but it has been so hot recently that he has wanted to go into the sea.

“It seems ridiculous that nothing is provided to help disabled or elderly people get across the sand. It is terrible that we have had to drag him around on a piece of tarpaulin.

“I contacted Bournemouth council to discuss it but I haven’t even had a reply.”

Pam, who lives in Strouden Park, goes to the beach near Bournemouth pier where her daughters have a beach hut.

She told the Daily Echo: “I can use the lift at West Cliff to get down to the prom but when everyone else goes into the water, I have to stay where I am. If you go to places like Spain or Cyprus, they all have boardwalks so that wheelchairs can be pushed down to the sea.”

Pam, who had polio as a child, added: “My father made sure we could all swim because we live near the sea and that is what I’d like to do. It is difficult at swimming pools because of the slippery tiles - I would prefer to swim in the sea.”

Chris Saunders, head of operations for Bournemouth council, said: “We aim to make the seafront accessible and friendly to all, but the natural topography can make access difficult.

"Most of our disabled access facilities are focused around the area by Boscombe Pier, as the most accessible part of the seafront for vehicles. There are also beach wheelchairs situated at various points along Bournemouth and Poole promenade.

“We are currently considering options to offer beach matting on Bournemouth beaches, similar to what we have available at Sandbanks beach in Poole.”