Bosses at a Tesco superstore in Osterley have urged shoppers to show consideration to disabled customers amid complaints about the misuse of special parking bays.

Arthritis sufferer Mary Hamilton (pictured), said she finds her weekly trip to the Syon Lane branch stressful because she can rarely find a disabled parking space.

"Most of the cars that park in the bays reserved for the disabled don't have blue badges, which means disabled people such as myself have to park miles away," she said.

Tesco has apologised and confirmed it is considering bringing in parking attendants to issue tickets in a bid to tackle the ongoing problem.

Mrs Hamilton, a mother of two, of Leigham Drive, Isleworth, said: "I have other disabled friends who also struggle to get parked. I have confronted people before when I see them parking without a blue badge, it is so stressful. I really struggle to walk and can only get round the store with the support of the trolley. People are just ignorant, something needs to be done."

A Tesco spokesman said: "We would urge anyone who is not eligible to park away from all mother and baby and disabled spaces. These spaces are only for those that really need them and to use them for the sake of convenience can have unforeseen consequences for those unable to make the extra distance to the store.

"It may put people in real discomfort at having to walk distances they may not be comfortable with and is extra risky in a car park environment. So if you see someone parking in these spaces who shouldn't please don't ignore it, report them to customer services."