A SUCCESSFUL scheme making the streets of a city centre more accessible to people with disabilities received a civic endorsement yesterday when the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Mary Hawgood, visited the Shopmobility unit.

Shopmobility provides a range of mobility scooters and electric chairs to shoppers and other visitors to the city.

The unit has premises in the Prince Bishops car park, so disabled people can get out of their vehicles and make Shopmobility their first port of call on a visit to Durham.

Coun Hawgood led a delegation of city councillors to try the scooters, to give them first-hand knowledge of the problems faced by users.

They were also able to see the benefits of easy access designed within the city's Prince Bishops and Millburngate shopping centres, and the Gala Theatre.

The mayor, who uses her own motorised scooter, is a leading advocate of Shopmobility.

She said: "As far as disabled people are concerned, I believe the Shopmobility arrangements are absolutely essential and the location in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre is ideal.

"The motorised machines may be used all over town and not just in the shopping centre, which is an added benefit."

Visitors to Durham are invited to see the Shopmobility fleet at an open day tomorrow.

More details about the Shopmobility unit are available on 0191-386 8556.