ACCESS for people with disabilities has been improved at a leisure centre.

A stairlift has been installed at the Mill House Leisure Centre, Hartlepool, enabling people in wheelchairs to access the cafeteria and pool spectator area.

Hartlepool Borough Council has worked with the Hartlepool Access Group to make sure the facility met the needs of disabled people.

Linda Shields, secretary of the access group, said: "It's nice to be finally included in all areas of the leisure centre. I can now enjoy a coffee while I wait for the rest of the family to exhaust themselves in the pool."