A disabled driver says he was trapped on the shingle bank at Minster, Sheppey , after council workmen moved concrete bollards while he slept.

And he says paramedics were delayed when he suffered a panic attack because they had to unlock an emergency gate first.

Yorkshireman Ted Moody, 66, from Noreen Avenue, Minster, said he was asleep after a night of sea fishing when contractors knocked on the door of his Talbot camper van at 8am on Thursday, August 13, to say they were re-setting the bollards to stop motorhomes using the beach and he should move.

He told them he was tired, having trouble breathing and in no fit state to drive. So he went back to bed.

The divorcee, who says he needs a double-lung transplant, said: "I had parked the previous week when the gap said it was 2.1m (6ft 10in) and my van had gone through. But when they left I realised the gap was narrower and I was trapped."

Single bollards were first installed on August 6 but unofficially moved over the following weekend. So they were replaced with double bollards on August 13.

Mr Moody called police who told him it was a council matter. A Swale council worker let him out through the emergency exit opposite Barton's Point Coastal Park.

A week earlier Mr Moody says he suffered a panic attack on the same stretch of beach after an encounter with a walker.

He said: "The paramedics were very good but they had to unlock the emergency barrier and raise it before they could get to me. Luckily it was only a panic attack but the delay could have been fatal if someone had been having a heart attack or drowning."

Mr Moody, who admits he has previously been banned from the beach after spending the night there illegally, said: "I wouldn't mind paying £5 a night to stay here. Canterbury City Council allows overnight parking at Reculver Towers."

Motorhome owner Jesse Davies from Halfway has launched a petition to get the bollards moved and has written to Swale council complaining that a large overflow car park opposite was still closed off with a wooden barrier.

Many owners of ordinary cars have been complaining about the difficulty of navigating the bollards which already carry scars of paint.

English teacher Michaela James, from Rochester, and her sister Antoinette Phillips, from Gillingham, are regular visitors.

Mrs James said: "We are appalled and disgusted by this. We are sea swimmers and have been coming here since we were children. I am quite a good driver but even I am cautious about these bollards."

While the two women were on the beach a driver gouged out a long line of paint down the side of her Citroen van.

Another driver Kerry Burlton said: "This is bang out of order."

A Swale council spokesman said: “We are aware of the incident involving Mr Moody.

“Despite signage being displayed, three large vehicles were parked on the Shingle Bank on the day of installation and their owners informed by our officer and contractor that they would need to find alternative parking.

“Two of the vehicles left but unfortunately Mr Moody decided to remain, despite confirmation that his vehicle would not be able to leave after the blocks had been installed.

“We have implemented the new parking restrictions in consultation with a number of user groups and Minster Parish Council following numerous complaints from residents and businesses about the number of motorhomes staying on the Shingle Bank – up to 80 at a time.

"The Shingle Bank does not have facilities for overnight camping so it is not appropriate for people to stay for an extended period.”

The council said there were reports of littering at the car park and that its beach-cleaning team had been forced to clear human excrement from the bank.

The overflow car park is now open and height barriers, which can be opened to allow in coaches, will be installed "in the next two weeks."

In a letter to petition organiser Mr Davies, the council acknowledges the bollards are likely to force motorhome users to park elsewhere and says: "There are several approved locations one of which is directly opposite the shingle bank at Barton’s Point.”

The letters says the Environmental Agency and the emergency services are "happy with the restrictions” and can access the bank using the alternative entrance.

The council has received more than 40 replies to its consultation with user-groups during the trial and says it is also exploring "alternative use of the car park opposite the Ship on Shore public house."

The bollards were signed off by Cllr Tim Valentine (Green, Boughton and Courtenay) who is cabinet member for environment.

The council says it "notes" Mr Davies' petition - which now has almost 1,000 signatures - and is continuing to monitor the "impact of the restrictions."

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey here