An emphysema sufferer's lifeline has been returned after the Sutton Guardian helped reinstate two disabled parking bays.

A sign marking two disabled bays in Rotherfield Road, Carshalton, was removed during building work last year.

Since then, emphysema sufferer Derek Gawn, 68, said he was unable to park in the spaces near local shops because he carries an oxygen tank and cannot walk the distance to the shops from other spaces.

Mr Gawn, of Park Lane in Wallington, said: "The spaces were always taken and not by blue badge holders.

"Those spaces are a lifeline for me. I can park on the other side of the road and use the pedestrian crossing down the road but often that's just to far for me to walk.

"I try to get out as much as I can but this really limited me."

Mr Gawn first contacted Sutton Council about the spaces but was told they are the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL).

But TfL told him they are the responsibility of the council, so Mr Gawn approached the Sutton Guardian to get to the bottom of the situation.

We spoke to both the council and TfL, both of whom said it was not their responsibility - when in fact TfL was responsible.

We later received assurances the error would be fixed.

After the sign was put back in place, Mr Gawn wrote us a letter which said: "I think your wand must be bigger than mine because, magically, the 'disabled parking' sign has found its way back to the top of the pole by the parking bays in Rotherfield Road.

"I have taken advantage of this fortunate turn of events and am once again visiting Carshalton which gives me something to look forward to."

Do you have a story for us? Call 020 8722 6355 or email: newsdesk@suttonguardian.co.uk.