A mum has told of the difficulties she faces when trying to access a toilet for her disabled son.

Debbie Chapman's son Archie is four years old and suffers with both cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He cannot speak or sit unsupported and is incontinent.

Miss Chapman, from Broadstairs, says if Archie soils himself while they are out she is faced with either letting him sit in dirty underwear, rushing home to help him, changing him in full public view or using the floor of a public lavatory.

The 30-year-old has launched a campaign to get suitable disabled changing facilities installed across the Isle.

Miss Chapman says the aim is to make people aware of the challenges disabled people and their families face when trying to access suitable facilities.

The mum of two said: “As a family we struggle to do things like go out for dinner, or to go shopping, because of a lack of facilities.

"Having a toilet is not a luxury, it is a basic human need" - Debbie Chapman

“When Archie was a baby it was fine to use the baby changing facilities but he has now passed the weight for the fold down tables and he can’t sit on the toilet so there is nothing we can do.

“If he soils himself when we are out there is nowhere to go.

“I find myself getting upset because we can’t even go out sometimes because of fear of not having anywhere to change Archie.”

Miss Chapman says there is only one fully accessible toilet in Thanet – at the council’s Gateway building which is open only from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday.

She added: “There is another disabled toilet in the area but you have to sign a disclaimer to use it and be using the play area it is located in, so again you are better off just shooting home.

“Having a toilet is not a luxury, it is a basic human need.”

To get involved in the campaign, contact Miss Chapman on 07701 048778.

Alternatively visit www.facebook.com/CPThanet/ or twitter.com/cpthanet

Thanet District Council has not yet responded to requests for a comment.