HIGHWAYS bosses have come to the rescue of a stranded scooterist.

Arthritis sufferer Lorraine Roby looked set to be land-locked this winter in her Atherton home.

Mrs Roby, from Frances Place, uses an electric scooter to aid her mobility and her only scooter friendly access was via a potholed track which becomes a quagmire in winter.

The solution seemed simple - and if less able residents such as Mrs Roby can't access the adopted highway, they should contact the council for a dropped kerb.

But when council engineers called, they found their plan foiled by a Telewest broadband cable box, just where they needed to carry out their work.

Sympathetic Telewest broadband waived its costs and engineers worked with council staff to create a high quality access for Mrs Roby.

A delighted Mrs Roby said: "Getting about for less abled residents isn't easy, but dropped kerbs really help...except when things get in their way. Thanks to Telewest

Broadband and Wigan Council for sorting this one out for me!"

Local Councillor Sue Loudon added: "It's good to see council and private sector coming together to help. Mrs Roby has really benefited from this co-operation."

Residents wanting more information should ring the Streetcare Helpline -- 01942 404364.