DISABLED pensioners are accusing a council of dragging its heels over access improvements to their block of flats.

Residents of the council block in Rise Carr, Darlington, said they were housebound because of steps which are too steep to climb.

After their plight was revealed in The Northern Echo earlier this year, Darlington Borough Council agreed to build a ramp at the front of the building. But residents have been told they must not use the ramp until handrails are installed.

Myra Kelly, 70, said: "They have put this big ramp there, but it's railed off. The ramp was finished towards the end of July and we were told we'd be able to use it within three weeks.

"That hasn't happened. We are over the moon that they've put a ramp there but we haven't been able to get out all summer."

A council spokeswoman said: "The handrails are being manufactured as we speak. We are expecting them to be in place from mid to late September. They have to be installed in accordance with health and safety regulations."