A WOMAN from Westy has lashed out at people who ignored her disabled husband's appeals for help in Warrington town centre last week.

Trish Vass, aged 31, of Marsden Avenue, went into town to do some shopping, to take her two-year-old daughter to the doctor's and her husband for an eye test.

After suffering from four strokes last year due to a growth in his brain, her husband, Simon, aged 40, needs a wheelchair to get around - he also suffers from tunnel vision and has difficulty speaking.

Mrs Vass left her husband smoking a cigarette outside Waterfield's bakers while she did her errands.

She said: "I wasn't five minutes and when I came out he was in tears because the cigarette had burned down to his fingers.

"He was asking for help but people were just walking past ignoring him. I was disgusted, really shocked."

Mo Wilkinson, assistant director of community services at the Stroke Association, said: "People are not fully aware of the impact of a stroke and how it can manifest itself.

"About a quarter of people who have a stroke will be affected by speech loss and it means that sometimes they are unable to find the words to articulate what they want to say.

"We need to raise awareness about this sort of dysphasia to the same degree as dyslexia."

If you want to know more call 08453033100 or speak to Carol Smith at the dysphasia support group on 01942 672046.