Wheelchair users are calling for vital upgrades to a 3km stretch of the King Charles III Coastal Path which they say is “completely inaccessible”.

They have told how they end up getting stuck in the shingle walkway between Sandown Castle and Sandwich Bay – having to rely on others to pull them out.

But bosses behind the scheme – which will eventually be the longest managed coastal path in the world – say fixing the issue would be “expensive” and require extra funding.

Donna Knott from Deal, who relies on a motorised wheelchair to walk her six-month-old puppy Cleo with her husband Mark Knott, is among those raising concerns.

Footage taken by KentOnline shows how after a few metres, the wheels begin to sink in the shingle before coming to a complete stop.

Mrs Knott, along with other members of the Deal Speaking Up Group, a non-profit community organisation, is calling for upgrades to be prioritised.

The 51-year-old, who has multiple sclerosis, explained: “I can't get out and walk because my legs don't have the strength they used to.

“I'm stuck in my chair and I would love to be able to walk my dog in the same places as other people, but it is not physically possible.

“I can only get so far before the chair grounds into the shingles and I'm stuck.

“If it wasn't for Mark being there to pull me out, I would be stuck there forever if I didn't have my phone.

“There are so many people who face the same problems as me and my heart goes out to them because it makes you feel like you're in the way and like you're the one causing problems.

“None of us asked to be in wheelchairs.”

The coastal path is managed by the National Trails Partnership which has confirmed making the path accessible is on its long-term wish list.

But rough estimates show it could cost up to £750,000 depending on the methods used, meaning it is not something they expect to achieve without funding.

But Chrissie Dubber, chair of the Deal Speaking Up Group and also a wheelchair user, says making more paths accessible should be a priority, no matter what the costs are.

She said: “I like to visit Sandown Castle but it is frustrating to not be able to use the path, which is why we are trying to get it fixed.

“It will mean people in wheelchairs will have a much easier and smoother ride.

“It is a lot of money, but any matter where there is a path that is unsuitable for wheelchairs should be dealt with because bumpy paths cause us an extreme amount of pain.

“All paths should be accessible in this day and age. We shouldn’t have to worry about this.

“The rights of disabled people should be taken more seriously and that is what our group is all about.”

The Deal Speaking Up Group’s aim is to try to find ways to make the area more accessible.

They are also campaigning for more dropped curbs in Mill Hill and raising money for a specialist swing for children with complex needs in North Deal Park.

Tom Kennedy, officer for the south east England Coast Path National Trail, said: “While efforts have been made to make the trail as easy to use as we reasonably can for those with reduced mobility, it is accepted that such opportunities will occasionally be constrained by practical limitations, such as the shingle between Sandown Castle and the Sandwich Bay Estate.

“One option for improving accessibility along this section could be to provide a new sealed surface. However, the section is approximately 3km long, so any works to provide a new sealed surface would be relatively expensive.

“Given its proximity to the adjacent shingle beach and the sea, there is a risk that stones would be washed onto the path during stormy weather, which would impede access for wheelchair users.

“We would then need to apply a regular sweeping operation to clear the path and maintain access.

“We would need substantial funding to deliver the improvement works and maintain the new path, in addition to securing consents for the work.

“In the current economic climate there are external funding opportunities available, but they are becoming more difficult to secure.

“I have added this section to our long term ‘wish list’ of trail improvements, noting the potential benefits of delivering surfacing works.

“I will also keep a look out for potential funding opportunities that could help deliver the work.”