A loving dad who has fought for years for better wheelchair access to the beach for his daughter says 'finally, our dream has come true.'

A specially-designed carrier has been introduced at West Bay. 

It means wheelchairs can be placed on to the carrier, then wheeled across the beach.

Neil Barnes, a well-known Bridport photographer, has made it his mission to improve access at the coast for his daughter Lucy.

He said: "I can't tell you how grateful we are to all those that have helped with this project to make the beach accessible to all. Thank you so much from Lucy and me."

Created by a Weymouth company, the carrier is designed with people who are not able to transfer from their wheelchair into one of the beach wheelchairs in mind. 

READ: West Bay wheelchair scheme makes beach more accessible

It comes after a beach wheelchair scheme was introduced at West Bay earlier this year. 

Neil explained: "Some of you may know of my campaign to get better access to the beach for my daughter Lucy and people like her. It started about eight years ago when I had the idea of having some sort of ramped wheelchair carrier built so that she could be transported to anywhere on the beach.

READ: Finally our dream has come true

"At the time I wasn't able to find anyone to help design and build one so the money I raised  was spent on four special wheelchair-friendly benches. Two were sited on Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock and two on the Esplanade at West Bay.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Neil and Lucy testing out the wheelchair-friendly benches at Hive Beach Picture: Neil Barnes

"Fast forward to now, and with the perseverance of the extraordinary Elaine Leader, who took up the challenge, we now have that carrier, along with three other beach wheelchairs.

"Expertly designed by Stephen Eldridge, fabricated by Crafty Fabrication in Weymouth and paid for by the wonderful people of West Dorset MENCAP, the carrier will be situated along with three other beach wheelchairs in a purpose built storage facility next to the outer harbour.

"Finally our dream has come true."