A WOMAN left on crutches by a leg operation has complained that she has no money as Jobcentre staff say she is fit to work.

Pamela Johnson, 56, of Broomside, in Ferryhill, underwent an operation last October which left her unable to carry on working in a fish and chip shop.

Miss Johnson began claimed benefits and said that Jobcentre bosses have now told her to sign on at Spennymoor to claim £57 Jobseekers' Allowance each fortnight.

She is also angry that the staff in Spennymoor Jobcentre deemed her to be fit to work.

She said: “I had a medical and the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) said that my money would stop from June 16 as I am capable of work.

“I now have to go every fortnight to sign on or I get no money. If it’s raining though I can’t go out on my crutches as it’s slippery.

“I’m not married and I have no other wage coming in to help me. I’m going to be on crutches for the rest of my life.”

A DWP spokesman said that clients could ask for the decision to be reconsidered or an appeal could be lodged.

She said: “If we are made aware, in advance, of a legitimate reason why someone cannot attend an appointment we can look to rearrange it for a more suitable time.

"A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence provided by the claimant."