A DEVOTED dad who spent eight years fighting to make a beach wheelchair friendly has had his dream come true.

Well-known Bridport photographer Neil Barnes has always wanted to take daughter Lucy, who uses a wheelchair, for a day at the seaside but it has been impossible due to the difficulty with access.

At long last, thanks to new wheelchair-friendly matting at West Bay, Lucy was able to visit the beach - and it all happened on Neil's birthday.

"It was the best birthday present ever," said Neil.

"I am so happy it's finally happened. I'd almost given up hope but to get Lucy onto the beach is a dream come true.

"People with mobility issues are often last in line with a lot of things but they deserve the same as everybody else. Who doesn't love the beach?"

Neil, the main carer for Lucy, has always been passionate about improving wheelchair access to the coastline.

Wheelchair-accessible benches exist at West Bay and Hive Beach thanks to a fund he set up to improve access.

But access to the beach proved a little trickier and he had almost lost hope - when local woman Elaine Leader got in touch after hearing about his campaign.

"Elaine badgered all the right people and wrote to the council," said Neil. "I have her to thank as well as the town council."

The matting, purchased by Bridport Town Council at a cost of £3,500, is modular and further development is possible. Town clerk Will Austin said: “We managed to obtain some external funding from Dorset Coast Forum that has really helped, and once we can identify further finance we can look at additional matting and ‘beach wheelchairs’ for hire. These could enable users to move off the path and to enjoy the sea.”

West Bay harbour master James Radcliffe and is team installed the matting.

Mayor Cllr Ian Bark said: “We’re delighted with the early feedback from both residents and visitors about the matting, which seems to indicate a genuine sense of freedom from people who haven’t been able to enjoy the beach until now. I am so grateful to Elaine Leader for her determination, and to others like Neil Barnes who have campaigned for this provision. I’d also like to thank the harbour master and his team for their work in laying the matting.”

Cllr Kelvin Clayton, chairman of the town council’s environment and social wellbeing committee, added: “I’d like to thank my fellow committee members for being so receptive to Elaine’s request, which she had backed up with research. We’re very pleased that the matting is now installed, and we’re now keen to look at extending access further with all-terrain wheelchairs.”