Chris Bushell, manager of Bradford & Bingley Salisbury, with Marilyn Blackburn and her grandchildren demonstrating the new easy-access lift at the branch. DA6000P1WHEELCHAIR users and people with children in pushchairs can now get into the Salisbury branch of Bradford & Bingley more easily, thanks to the installation of a state-of-the-art lift.

The lift has been put in on the Butcher Row side of the premises.

The branch had previously put out a ramp during business hours to help its customers with disabilities and those with buggies, but this action fell foul of the council because the ramp was deemed an obstruction, particularly for blind and partially-sighted people.

Work on the lift began last October and was completed in April - six months ahead of the Disability Discrimination Act coming into force.

Branch manager Chris Bushell is delighted.

"Lots of people use it," he said.

"Before, disabled people waited outside while their husbands or wives came in for them, and when it was raining that wasn't very nice.

"Now they can come inside."

He said Salisbury branch had also put in a reduced height counter to make it easier for customers in wheelchairs, and other branches were also installing lifts and doors, which open at the touch of a button.

When the Journal went to see the lift, Marilyn Blackburn, who was passing with her grandchildren, Joshua and Kaitlyn, volunteered to try it out.