A KNUTSFORD resident missed out on the town's Christmas market earlier this month as she couldn't reach the stalls on her mobility scooter.

More than a hundred of Cheshire's best craft and artisan food traders lined Princess Street on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 for the festive event with visitors also able to enjoy the annual reindeer parade and lights switch on.

However Paula Hamman, of Longridge, Knutsford, who has attended the event in the past but been able to walk around the town, took her mobility scooter to the craft fair at Knutsford Methodist Church but couldn't get down Princess Street because there was no disabled access.

Paula said: "I am glad the Christmas market went well and many people enjoyed it but I wish I could say the same.

"I managed to visit the craft fair in the Methodist Church but that was it as my mobility scooter couldn't get along by the market stalls.

"Whoever designed the layout needs to consult with disabled people and make arrangements for everyone."

Paula said the stalls had been set up down the centre of Princess Street which meant there was no space along either side of the road for people with prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Paula uses a small, fold up scooter that fits in the back of a car and while it isn't as big as other motorised scooters she still had trouble and had to go home without visiting any of the stalls.

Paula said: "Goodness knows how the emergency services would get along the street.

"Maybe it will be different next year."

Adam Keppel-Garner, town centre manager, said: "Knutsford is naturally problematic for organising a street market with perfect disabled access along the streets and I fully sympathise with the difficulties they face.

"We will be taking steps to ensure that next year’s market is as accessible as possible and I would welcome the resident getting in touch to let me know how we can help improve for next time."