A FIRE station in Southern Oxfordshire is delighted at the popularity of safety sessions they are putting on for mobility scooter users.

The Wantage workshops are trying to raise awareness of the issues users face and improve their driving.

It is also being used as to feedback on issues faced by users to the council – such as pavement obstructions forcing them onto the road.

The main problem is a lack of dropped kerbs, users said at this week's event, which followed a session in May.

Fireman and organiser Sean Mienie said: "I am hoping that this group grows so that we can educate more people - this could be a model for each town or village in our county. It is a fantastic initiative and opportunity and the users enjoyed meeting new people and partaking in the workshops that we held."

Locals are being asked to be more considerate, especially in their parking and driving.

Another organiser, Sue Thwaite, added: “It’s about users learning about their responsibilities to the public and learning to drive in a safe manner.

“It’s so nice to see that we have doubled the numbers.”

Local councillor Jenny Hannaby praised the group, which she said was conceived a year ago, after receiving correspondence on accessibility and organisers.

Just last week, a man died after his scooter collided with an ambulance in Abingdon. In 2017, a user was stopped by police on a 70mph stretch of the A34.

Harrison Jones learns lesson from his 'calamitous' ride

The talking is over and the big one has arrived: the inaugural Wantage Mobility Scooter User Group Obstacle Course Race awaits.

Mrs Jean Jones is first up, with her wonderfully well-equipped, but rather chunky ride. Calamity strikes almost instantaneously as she smashes into the first cone, setting the tone for her, erm, ‘entertaining’ ride.

She’s only gone and put it on the eight - not four - mph mode and that’s cost her big time, the amateur.

Glory beckons.

The real competition, Sister Trudy, has other ideas. She neatly meanders through the slalom course like these she’s been avoiding potholes and inconsiderately parked cars for years, which she has. She’s also got God on her team, which hardly seems fair.

“Another show off”, Mrs Jones shouts, trying to put her off - she’s more professional than I thought.

Our resident sister is having none of it and sees off the course unperturbed in an ungodly time.

Organiser Sue puts in a tidy performance worthy of her sleek vehicle, which she then lends me for a practice run, which goes stunningly well, if I do say so myself.

The group have already headed back inside, presumably trembling with fear, as I size up my latest ride, which is more like a Land Rover of the scooter world than Sue’s Ferrari.

I digress; lucky socks at the ready... And it’s lights out, away we go.

And I’m basically Lewis Hamilton, for all of four inches, until impolitely introducing myself to the first cone, and third, and fifth, and so on in rather embarrassing fashion. Cone ‘tickling’ quickly becomes a recurring theme.

My calamitous antics are a good metaphor for the unexpected difficulties users can face.

Non-users take for granted seemingly minor road/pavement issues, which can be a big deal to users - more awareness helps.

Organisers Sean Mienie and Sue Thwaite's work is invaluable, particularly to users like Kelly Button (of 'Land Rover' owning fame), who found the session handy not just on safety, but to learn about the services available to her. Fire crews offer free home safety checks, for example.

Even if just socially, such sessions can improve users lives and so - unlike my driving - should be applauded.