Pauline Waite, in her nightdress, makes her protest about carer provision

A DISABLED Bolton woman surprised customers in a post office when she arrived -- in her nightie!

Pauline Waite collected her disability allowance from Morris Green post office, Lever Edge Lane, yesterday morning dressed in her nightshirt, claiming she had no other choice because a carer is only available to help her dress four days a week.

The 50-year-old, who suffers from several disabilities and epilepsy, has pledged to carry on leaving her Holmeswood Road home in her nightshirt on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays when a carer does not visit her.

And she has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair about her nightshirt protest and is determined to set up a forum for disabled people in Bolton.

Pauline, a widow, stunned the taxi driver who took her to the post office, as well as staff and customers, when she appeared in the nightshirt. She said: "The taxi driver was gobsmacked and I got a few funny looks from people in the post office, but I'm glad I did it because someone has to stand up for disabled people. Why should I stay at home because I've got nobody to help me get dressed?"

Pauline, who has no family living in the Bolton area, claims it can take hours to dress herself and has injured herself several times when doing so.

"Even if I manage to get in and out of the shower, I end up having to dry my feet with a hairdryer,"she said.

A friend's son used to collect her disability allowance on Thursdays, but is unable to do so after his working hours altered.

Pauline, who broke her shoulder in July, has been allocated the carer four days a week on a temporary basis while her arm mends. But she claims help is required seven days per week on a permanent basis to enable her to lead a more active life.

A social services spokesman said: "We assessed Mrs Waite's needs after she had broken her shoulder and agreed care to meet those needs temporarily. We then assessed her needs again on August 7 and it was agreed to continue the services while she continues to improve."

Anyone who would like to join Pauline's disabled rights forum can contact her on 077151 35486.