A HOUSEWIFE has cleared a path for frail shoppers to make their trip to the supermarket safely.

Reaching Bishop Auckland's shops and Morrison's supermarket should be a simple task for the residents of Lingford Court Nursing home.

But although the supermarket lies just the other side of a wall from Lingford Court, a large step up to Bob Hardisty Drive has forced the mostly frail or wheelchair-bound residents to use several busy roads to get there.

One woman from the home even packs a spare wheelchair battery before setting off.

However, after 13 years, the problem has been solved by Edwina Marriott.

After a failed bid to become an elected councillor, Edwina decided she would still get the care home a wheelchair-friendly ramp to replace the step.

Yesterday, the access was officially unveiled by residents.

Edwina said: "After the step was built I came into Lingford Court and everyone wanted to know who I was.

"I said 'I'm nothing, just a housewife'. They thought I was a councillor. "This was built by the residents, for the residents."

Edwina and workers at the home had planned to raise the cash needed to install the disabled access themselves, but Durham County Council stepped in with the funding.

Wheelchair-bound Sarah Spires is one of the jubilant users of the walkway.

"It was a troop march to get to the shops. I had to take a spare battery," she said.

"This will make a big difference for everyone with crutches and sticks.