An influential watchdog has raised concerns over rented accommodation for disabled people after it emerged actors who use wheelchairs have been unable to find a single suitable place to stay in Scotland's capital during the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Disability Rights Commission said the problem was part of a wider "national crisis" over rented flats and houses for people with mobility problems who are not protected by legislation.

Actor Paul Henshall said the irony is that the play he is due to appear in this summer is about how disabled people can be overlooked.

London-based Kiki Kendrick, producer of the play, Mutton, has been trying for two months to find Mr Henshall suitable accommodation.

She said: "I thought bringing a disabled actor in this day and age would be a manageable challenge. How wrong could I be - after a solid eight-week search, I still can't accommodate my cast.

"Three ads on the Ed Fringe message board for more than a month have yielded 198 hits and zero responses.

"The university places with lifts went immediately, the few garden or main-door places - and I can count them on one hand - were either snapped up at really high prices or are so far out of town they create more issues than they solve."

Mr Henshall, from Cornwall, said he was being treated like a second-class citizen. He said: "It's disgraceful that in the 21st century such strong discrimination still exits. Mutton has given me a fantastic opportunity, it is a beautifully warm and funny play.

"Kiki's determination to cast an actor with a disability rather than putting an able-bodied actor in a wheelchair is admirable and only serves to strengthen the message of the play."

Adam Gaines, Scottish director of the Disability Rights Commission, said: "The recent disability equality duty means that local authori- ties and housing associations have to look at improving the provision of housing for disabled people, but unfortu-nately this doesn't extend to private landlords."