A man who was told he could not enter shops and restaurants on multiple occasions because of his guide dog has lobbied his MP for higher fines.

Kelvin Sheridan, 68, of Whitehouse Avenue, in Borehamwood, joined a number of blind residents who were visiting Westminster Abbey to speak with MP for Hertsmere Oliver Dowden.

Mr Sheridan, who has been visually impaired since the age of 27, has been rejected from restaurants and shops across Borehamwood because he requires the aid of a guide dog.

He said: “It is a subject I feel so strongly about because I have had problems as well.

"I have had some minor issues with some shops and restaurants in Borehamwood.

"But others have rejected me in Borehamwood, Edgware and Stanmore.

“It is very disheartening when it happens. I am fairly thick-skinned so I am able to pull through it.

“But other people who are not as thick-skinned become upset and probably will never go back to that place.”

Once Mr Sheridan he reported the discrimination to the police and was given a crime number but in his opinion nothing seemed to happen.

It is against the law to refuse a working dog entry into a shop or restaurant.

For around five years it has been against the law to refuse a working dog entry into a shop or restaurant.

According to Mr Sheridan there are roughly around 5,000 people who have a guide dog and he believes around 3,700 of these people have been refused entry.

Last year, research from the Guide Dogs Trust shows three in four assistance dogs owners have been refused access to businesses such as shops, restaurants and taxis, though the Equality Act 2010 prohibits this.

He said: “Since it has been against the law only about 50 cases have been taken to court in the past five years.

“Other people have had issues with taxis where the car drove away leaving the person there just because they have a dog.

"I have not had any issues with the taxis I use.”

A business can be fined up to £1,000 for not letting a guide dog into the premises.

Mr Sheridan said if the business discriminates against the guide dog they are also doing it to the owner which is also £1,000 fine.

He also believes not allowing him in is breaching his human rights which is another £1,000 fine. But Mr Sheridan is hoping to raise that fine.

He said: “The purpose of lobbying MP for Hertsmere Oliver Dowden was not just to let him know this happens but to also try and raise that sum to £2,500.

“When Mr Dowden found out this was happening he was distraught that nothing has been done. But it still happens.”

The Guide Dogs Access All Areas Lobby Day visited the Houses of Parliament on May 25 to lobby their respective MPs.

Mr Dowden said: “It was great to welcome my constituents Kelvin and Val Sheridan and Mia the guide dog to Parliament.

“Kelvin is a local campaigner and a great ambassador for the work of the guide dogs.

“I was alarmed to hear about the difficulties he had accessing some shops in Borehamwood.

“I know most local businesses welcome guide dogs but it is important that everyone knows they are under a legal duty to allow access for these wonderful lifelines for the blind.”

“I have also said I will do a trial walk on a local high street with a guide dog to get a sense of what it is like to navigate local facilities without the benefit of sight.”