WHEELCHAIR users in Eastleigh have been promised a helping hand despite the threat of closure hanging over one of the town's leading access groups.

Members of the Eastleigh Disabled People's Consultation Group (EDPCG) have vowed to keep up vital work widening access for the wheelchair-bound in Eastleigh.

The promise comes after a fellow voluntary organisation Eastleigh Access Group announced it had hit a member crisis that could close it down.

During the last three years, the group - supported by Eastleigh Borough Council and Eastleigh Community Services - has successfully campaigned for dropped kerbs and easier access to shops and public buildings for people in wheelchairs, blind or visually-impaired people, mothers with pushchairs or toddlers and people who use walking sticks.

With the access group's future now looking bleak, the disabled people's consultation group is set to continue its good work.

The group is already carrying out a survey with local police to improve access to the police station in Leigh Road.

It will also continue to look at ways of improving access across the town.

Spokeswoman Anne Hoskins said: "I'm glad to say EDPCG founder members are carrying on the good work.

"Eastleigh is well-known for its accessibility. This is a lot due to the group and their efforts."

The group is currently on the lookout for new members.

Anyone interested should contact chairman Dolly Dawes on 023 8061 6075