CLYDEBANK'S Asda store will soon feature clear signage at its disabled toilets to in order to break the stigma around invisible illnesses and disabilities.

The nationwide move was inspired by a female customer of the supermarket's Newark store and her five-year-old daughter after they were confronted about using disabled facilities because the youngster "didn't look" disabled.

The retail giant has now launched a programme to introduce accessible toilets in more than 400 stores including clear signage to indicate that not all disabilities are visible, helping to ensure customers feel comfortable when using the facilities in-store.

It is not yet known when the signage will be erect in the store, however, the plans have been praised by Whitecrook based charity, Inclusion, who hailed the initiative as "excellent".

Sheila Scott, the charity's director, said: "It's an excellent idea. I think it takes the stigma away and they become just people going into that queue or that facility.

"I can absolutely feel for those with an invisible illness. No disability is easy but when it's a hidden disability people can be very judgemental and it's very hard.

"People can tut and wonder 'why are they here when they shouldn't be' but you just rise above it."

"Asda are pretty good with promotion so hopefully this is the kind of thing that schools pick up when they're doing their inclusion training because the younger the message gets out there the better," she added.

The customer who started it all, Tonya Glennester, also hopes the move will increase awareness of hidden disabilities and has been "overwhelmed" by Asda's response after her experience in the store.

She said: “Evalynn has ADHD and autism and can be affected by the noise of the hand dryer as well as queues and crowds of people.

"When we walked out on this occasion there was two customers waiting, one of whom was in a wheelchair, and they disagreed that I should be using the toilet.

“I also suffer from health issues that that can cause pain, chronic fatigue, bowel pain, and balance problems meaning I often have to use hand/grab rails.

“I tried to explain that not all disabilities are visible but we were told ‘you don’t look disabled’. We were both really upset and left the store but I decided to go back in and speak to the manager because I know there are so many stories like ours.

"The standard disabled sign is no-longer a true representation of the disabled community so it isn’t really viable anymore and it’s great that Asda appreciates that and has taken action."

Jason Martin, senior director for Asda Scotland West said: “It’s great to see this important new initiative being rolled out across our stores in Scotland.

"Asda has always been proud of its ability to listen and respond to the needs of our customers and this demonstrates how identifying and solving a problem which impacts on one person at a local level, whether in the Highlands or in the Borders, can bring benefits to all who shop in our stores.”