AN ELDERLY woman with severe arthritis was turned away from her bank last week because she could not climb the high step outside.

Mrs Mary Cartwright, of St Michael's Court, Norton, suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis. As well as being unable to climb steps, she also has trouble using her hands.

She has recently been awarded the Independent Living Fund (ILF), which helps people with serious disabilities pay for part-time carers and other support services.

The 62 year-old has held an account with the Yorkshire Bank for more than 40 years. "I could get up the step into the bank in Norton until about three years ago," she said. "Since then I haven't been able to get inside."

When the ILF was awarded, she contacted her branch about setting up a separate account for it. "I thought, seeing as I have been a customer with them for so long that they would have my details and I could sort it out over the phone. But they said no, I had to fill in a form.

"I had to sort this out straight away for the benefit to be paid, and I can't even get in the bank. I told them it was urgent and asked if they could send someone out to help me fill in the form because I have trouble with my hands, but they wouldn't."

The bank instead posted out the form. Mrs Cartwright was able to send it off, but days later than she had intended.

"I was very disappointed," she said. "I only live a matter of 200-300 yards away from the bank. I have a separate account with the Halifax and they will send someone out to see me from Stockton, no problem.

"I can get in the Yorkshire Bank in Stockton but I shouldn't have to go to Stockton when there is a bank in Norton."

Mrs Cartwright raised the matter with the branch manageress. "She didn't even know the step was there. She had to go outside and check. You don't always notice steps when you're able-bodied," she said.

"I asked her if they could do something about it and she told me that they had only just been refurbished last December.

"The hurtful thing about that

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