MORE than £250,000 is to be spent on work to ensure public buildings in the Chester-le-Street area meet with new disability legislation.

The decision to improve disabled access was approved by Chester-le-Street District Council on advice from finance director Derek Shingleton.

He said it was the council's duty to undertake the work before the Disability Discrimination Act comes into effect in October.

It has also agreed to spend £120,000 to replace passenger lifts at four of its sheltered accommodation units for the elderly.

Work on lifts at Matfen Court, St John's Court, Riddell Court and Lawson Court, in Chester-le-Street, came to light after concerns were raised by members of the housing team.

The new law is designed to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other disabled people.

A programme of work at nine locations in the Chester-le-Street area has been drawn up.

More than £73,000 has been earmarked for upgrades at Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre including installing automatic doors, providing three platform stairlifts and upgrading the toilet facilities for wheelchair users.

Almost £50,000 will be spent on the council headquarters at the town's Civic Centre.

Works include providing a handrail for the ramp outside the building, new signs and installing reduced height reception desks.

A programme to repair potholes that have been found in footpaths in Pelton, Ropery Lane and Sacriston cemeteries is likely to cost more than £110,000.

Other schemes to improve access, such as work at the Riverside Ground, Sacriston Depot, Roseberry Grange Golf Course and Selby Cottage Nursery will cost nearly £25,000.

Mr Shingleton said: "The council must provide reasonable access to its buildings and services.

"Anyone who believes that there has been discrimination on the grounds of disability, by equal access being denied, has a right to seek legal redress through the county court.