A CHARITY marked a landmark occasion this week.

Darlington Shopmobility welcomed its 40,000th customer through its doors in Horsemarket.

Deborah Stubley was presented with flowers and a keepsake trinket box by Shopmobility workers to mark the event.

The service has been open since December 1993 and is provided by Darlington Association on Disability and Darlington Borough Council. It provides the free loan of electric scooters and wheelchairs for so the disabled can get around.

Gordon Pybus, chairman of Darlington Association on Disability, said: "Shopmobility is a lifeline for some disabled people to enable them to access Darlington.

"The fact that it's been used more than 40,000 times shows that Shopmobility is an essential part of Darlington town centre."