DISABLED campaigners are closer to securing a 'shopmobility' scheme in every town in the Tees Valley.

Members of the Redcar and Cleveland Disability Access Group heard their local council agree in principle on Tuesday to a shopping service for the disabled in Redcar, now the only main town in Cleveland without one.

Eventually the group hopes to be able to offer electric scooters, powerchairs, wheelchairs, transport and help for disabled shoppers across East Cleveland.

The group requested £15,000 to set up the scheme. However, council officers recommended delaying making a financial commitment until other funding is secured and further work completed on a business plan.

David Walsh, council leader, told the executive committee meeting at Eston Town Hall that it was unacceptable for East Cleveland to be the only area in the county without a shopmobility scheme. He said: "We really need to look at funding and all other issues in the coming weeks and months."

Barbara Rankin, vice-chairman of the Redcar and Cleveland Disability Group, spoke outside the meeting.

She said: "We've been proposing this since we formed in 1996 and hope it may finally become a reality."