COUNCIL bosses asked a double amputee war hero to sign forms for his disabled badge in person – to prove he was eligible.

Second World War veteran Ted Dracup, 90, needs round-the-clock care after his legs were amputated due to gangrene two years ago.

But when his blue badge ran out in July, the former Tank Corps Corporal, who lives in an extra care home in South Shields, South Tyneside, was told he needed a GP’s letter to confirm that he is disabled before renewing the badge.

And he was told he had to sign the forms in person at council offices in Hebburn.

Mr Dracup branded the system a “disgrace” and demanded more respect for war heroes.

He said: “It’s unfair that former servicemen have to go through this to get a blue badge. It’s a damn disgrace, that’s what it is.”

Close friend Graham Abrahamson, said: “A war hero should not have to go through all this just to get a disabled badge.”

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “We do ask successful applicants to come to the Star Centre in Hebburn to collect their Blue Badge in person so that we can guard against badges being used fraudulently.”