A HOME-HELP who slipped on paving stones which a city council knew were dangerous was awarded more than £90,000 damages yesterday.

Eileen Pickford, 55, was forced to retire from her job after she damaged her ankle in the fall, which happened after she left a client's home in December 1998.

Newcastle County Court heard that Sunderland City Council had already been warned about people having accidents on a strip of decorative block paving between Franklin Court and Burgoyne Court, in Concorde, Washington, Wearside.

But despite residents' claims that the paving was "lethal" during damp conditions, Sunderland council did nothing to make it safe.

Mrs Pickford, of Washington, now suffers from osteoarthritis in her left ankle and can walk no more than 100 yards without being forced to stop.

The court heard that a resident had already informed council bosses that her daughter had injured her arm after falling at the same spot, in 1995.

Mr Recorder Allen, in passing judgement, said he accepted that the residents who claimed the surface was dangerous when damp were being honest and truthful.

Sunderland council denied liability, saying that Mrs Pickford had slipped on ice, with which she had initially agreed, before realising that the area was slippery when damp.

But Mr Recorder Allen agreed with her explanation, saying that, despite knowing that the blockwork was hazardous, Sunderland council "did not take steps to remove it or lessen the hazard".

The £93,361 damages were awarded for pain and suffering, past and future loss of earnings, care costs, and for gardening and DIY which Mrs Pickford will now have to pay someone to do.

Leave to appeal the decision on behalf of the council was denied.