CO-OP Travel in Bury is promoting disability awareness through a series of new initiatives to improve customer service levels.

As part of its compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act, the store, in The Haymarket, has undergone a full accessibility review for disabled customers and has launched an ongoing programme of training so all staff are aware of disability issues.

Manager Sharleen Tither said: "We are looking at ways in which we can improve customer service standards across the branch.

"Ideas we are hoping to implement range from producing our own resort guides detailing hotels and restaurants that are suitable for disabled holidaymakers, to contacting local disabled groups to find out if they need assistance when booking group holidays.

"Our aim is to ensure that all disabled people -- no matter what their disability is -- are able to book a holiday easily and get the advice they need to suit their requirements.

"Research has shown that one in five disabled people experience difficulty accessing services due to their disability, and we're determined to ensure that booking a holiday is one of the services that disabled people can easily enjoy."

Jayne Webb, group human resources manager for the United Co-op Travel Group, the parent company of Co-op Travel, said: "Over the past few months, we have been ensuring that staff at all levels are aware of the new enhancements to the Disability Discrimination Act, which come into force from October, 2004.

"All branches have been encouraged to develop their own action plans to examine how customer service levels for disabled people can be improved within every store."