Storm-damaged wheelchair tables replaced after fundraising

Mr Barnes raised money for the benches to help his daughter Lucy and other wheelchair users

New wheelchair-accessible benches have been put in place, replacing ones badly damaged in winter storms.

Two tables were installed at Burton Bradstock, Dorset, in 2020 following fundraising by Neil Barnes, whose daughter Lucy uses a wheelchair.

He launched a crowdfunding campaign after they were damaged by Storm Ciarán and the appeal also raised enough to pay for two more.

Mr Barnes said the tables helped make the coastline "more accessible to all".

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

The two benches at Hive Beach were destroyed by Storm Ciarán on 2 November. The coastline was battered by the storm with a caravan park nearby also flooded.

The benches have a section removed to allow wheelchair access

'Huge thank you'

Mr Barnes subsequently launched an appeal to replace them and a total of £5,242 was raised.

In a message on social media, he said: "All of you very generous people helped raise enough to replace the destroyed two and add two more!

"I have to say a huge thank you to all that contributed to this project making the coastline more accessible to all."

One of the new benches has been placed at West Bay Harbour, with the others being installed by the National Trust at Hive Beach.

Mr Barnes also previously spearheaded efforts to design and build a carrier to allow beach access for wheelchairs.

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