TOWN centre managers are working with their local authority and other partners in a huge effort to make Bishop Auckland's streets and shops more accessible to the disabled.

In a determined effort to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, Bishop Auckland and the Wear Valley Disability Access Forum are hosting an event that will offer businesses the chance to gain free advice on how to improve their services for the disabled.

The two day drop-in will be held in the Newgate Shopping Centre at the end of the month, where representatives of the forum will be on hand to offer suggestions on how traders can take reasonable steps to comply with the new act.

The event comes as the main problems identified by the access forum, which was commissioned to audit the town by the Town Centre Management, are to be presented to Wear Valley District Council.

Bishop Auckland town centre manager Derek Toon said: "I am pleased with the work that was done on the audit. There were so many positive points about the town and Durham County Council and Wear Valley District Council are reacting by putting together an action plan to deal with issues that have risen from the report."

Mr Toon urged traders in the town to attend the event on Thursday, January 27, and Friday, January 28, between 10am and 4pm each day.

Anne Cowie, of the access forum, said that the exhibition would be beneficial to traders and members of the public because other organisations such as the police would be on hand to offer safety advice in general.

She said she was pleased so far with the positive response by the town centre management and local authorities to the new act.

She said: "One of the main concerns is Fore Bondgate where the pavement conditions are absolutely dreadful. Speed humps were put in on the road and the paths also have humps in them to make them the same level.

"This makes it difficult for people in wheelchairs and young mothers with pushchairs."

Mrs Cowie said that she had already had had a meeting with Mr Toon and highway officers and it is hoped that while finance is not available for major restructuring, compromises can be reached and immediate repairs carried out.