A disabled woman from Thamesmead who started a petition to stop people on benefits travelling for assessments has received over 40,000 signatures.

Claudette Lawrence, 49, is an activist and campaigner who also suffers with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which can cause extreme mental and physical exhaustion.

The Thamesmead resident has set up the petition because she has recently come up against a lot of people who are having problems when it comes to their benefits.

The petition calls for the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton, to work with the government to stop people with mental and physical disabilities to attend medical assessments a long way from where they live.

At the time of publication the petition is currently at 45,403 signatures.

On the huge increase in signatures Claudette said: "I am delighted that the petition has gone up. I am hoping now that I and the campaign people will be able to meet with Esther MCvey and that it will raised in the House of Commons.

"It just shows how people feel about it."

You can sign Claudette’s petition here.

Claudette said: “I know someone on Personal Independence payment who lives in Charlton and was told to travel all the way to Southend for their assessment.

“I want to know who is making these decisions because someone has to be responsible.”

Claudette wants to make it clear that it isn’t fair to ask people who suffer with mental health issues, high anxiety, and or physical disabilities to travel so unreasonably.

The only way to try and change where the assessment happens in to pay their local £38 to write them a letter asking for a home visit.