Appeal launched for Burton Bradstock storm-damaged wheelchair tables

Neil Barnes fundraised for the benches for his daughter Lucy and other wheelchair users

An appeal has been launched to replace specially designed wheelchair accessible picnic benches destroyed during Storm Ciarán.

The tables were installed at Burton Bradstock on the Dorset coast following fundraising by campaigner Neil Barnes.

The area was battered by the storm last Thursday, with a caravan park nearby also flooded.

A crowdfunding appeal to replace the benches has reached more than half of its target of £5,000.

The new wheelchair carrier allows Neil and Lucy Barnes to enjoy the beach together

The picnic tables, with cut-away corners to allow access to the tables, were placed overlooking Hive Beach, as well at West Bay, in 2020.

"Unfortunately on 2 November the two at Hive Beach were destroyed by Storm Ciarán," Mr Barnes said.

"I know that many families have enjoyed using the benches since their installation."

Mr Barnes recently spearheaded efforts to design and build a wheelchair carrier to allow beach access for his daughter Lucy and other wheelchair users.