SUNSHINE, markets and Stokesley, I recently discovered go together very well. Friday, being market day, seemed a good day to visit the town to see just how accessible things are. The day was fine, spring-like and full of promise. So what had Stokesley to offer the disabled visitor?

I made my usual call for advance information to the Tourist Information Centre in Great Ayton and it was clear there was no prepared script on accessibility.

The receptionist left me with a distinct feeling that she was - while clearly doing her best - guessing and clutching at straws. Information was restricted to the availability of parking bays which, she thought, were perhaps at Safeway or the Market Square. Given that I was planning to visit on market day, this was not looking too hopeful since, presumably, those in the Market Square would be required by stallholders.

Tourist Information Centres have let me down badly before in North Yorkshire (see my feature on Northallerton last November on our website) and they really need to acknowledge that they are not providing disabled visitors with the information they need before setting out on a trip.

Going early and armed with an A-Z seemed the best strategy and I quickly discovered on arrival that there were plenty of disabled parking bays available. There are several scattered spasmodically around the High Street. I noted some outside Boyes and Chapters, but there were others.

Some were in College Square and in front of the Queen's Head pub. And there were some at Safeway's supermarket but this is some distance from the main shops, so anyone wary of crossing busy roads or moving any distance should avoid these.

This sort of information would be useful on a map with a few extra details such as which parking bays have rim dropped kerbs; which bays are near the Post Office or local chemists; and which are near the disabled toilets. Tourist Information bosses please take note.

Wandering around the shops in my wheelchair, I made notes regarding which made shopping easier for me and, therefore, won my trade and which of them put up obstacles and, therefore, lost it.

F E Gibson (electrical goods) was most helpful as a member of staff opened the door for me and assured me that nothing would be too much trouble. Similarly, staff at Moss Chemists could not have done more, searching on shelves for items I could neither see nor reach and helping me to feel unflustered.

However, I was disappointed to find two insurmountable steps at Boyes, a step at the Post Office and Stokesley Butchers and what could only be described as a "trap" at the Barclays ATM machine - shoppers had to pull me out of the restricted fenced-off enclosure.

Many shops in Stokesley are on an island in the middle of the High Street and I found gaining access to this very easy, at one of the many dropped-kerb crossing points.

One correspondent wrote however to say that she found the "sloping studded areas" difficult to negotiate with her walking sticks. I checked this with Hambleton District Council who said such areas are required by law at crossing points. They are known as "tactile pavements" and are to guide people who are visually impaired. It is clearly important that we all receive as much help as possible to move around our towns independently and so such enhancement works are to be welcomed. It is equally important that those of us with disabilities understand that we all have many diverse needs and we should try to see the whole picture.

My correspondent was also concerned about the state of the disabled toilet which is found in the general toilet block on the central island. She felt that it was "not adequate". My visit revealed no soap in the dispenser, a blocked toilet and an unhelpful sign that went out of its way to be obscure and aloof. It read, "Keys for the disabled persons toilet can be obtained from local tourist information centres and council offices". A more useful sign might have pointed out that there is no tourist information centre in Stokesley and have included a map showing where exactly the council offices are.

Tired and in need of refreshment, I conveniently found myself near Chapters. Two low steps slightly spoiled things but an assistant was at hand and the coffee made up for having to leave my wheelchair and climb them.

My last trip was round the market, which was wonderfully accessible and uncluttered, so I made a few more purchases there and headed back to the car. Overall, it was a wonderful day and I would recommend a visit, particularly because the people were so friendly and helpful. The downside was, ironically, the poor service and information given by many professionals whose specific role it is to provide us with assistance.

Help me to include you and your disability by writing to me about it. Pass on your comments about my perception of good and bad practice to Phil Donegan at The Northern Echo or to Hear All Sides, Features, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF.

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Published: June 7th 2001