DISABLED residents could find themselves going up in the world after a new £330,000 lift was installed to improve Town Hall access.

Wheelchair-user Karen Shook, who works for Parkside Health NHS Trust and Brent Access Group, praised the move.

She said: "It is really encouraging to see that Brent Council is taking its responsibilities for providing better access for disabled people seriously. These changes all make a difference to our lives."

The lift was opened by wheelchair-user Nancy Robertson MBE and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr David Coughlin, and is part of the council's programme to make all of its main buildings fully accessible and compliant with disability legislation by 2004.

Over the past two years, £1.8 million has been committed to make it easier for people with disabilities to use buildings, shopping centres, libraries and pavements. A similar amount will be needed to complete the programme and extend it to community centres.

Cllr Coughlin said the lift would be a vital instrument in helping wheelchair-users participate in community events at the Town Hall and in democracy.

"Until now wheelchair access to the Town Hall has been extremely difficult with some people having to face the indignity of being carried to the council chamber. This was unacceptable," he said.