A DISABLED woman has been in a seven year battle with her bank as the building does have disabled access.

Christine Cooke, from Colchester, has used a wheelchair for the past seven years as she has a form of arthritis.

She struggles to get in and out of Lloyds bank in St Christopher Road, as there is no raised kerb or ramp.

She first raised the issue with the branch manager in 2011, who said the matter would be looked into, but no ramp or raised kerb has been installed.

Christine, 66, said: "I have been fobbed of with comments that it has been looked into.

"Barclays and Tesco in the same area have found a way to comply with the law. Why should Lloyds bank get away with non-compliance?"

She has also contacted the customer service team, complaints team, and even Essex County Council to check what planning permission, if any, would be needed.

She said: "They say they have had surveyors out but nothing has happened.

"At the Lloyds bank in Frinton they have managed to raise the pavement.

"It's not a big step, and I can get down it if I go through backwards. I do have my carer to help me but it's not the point.

"The bank is now saying it would have to take the whole shop front out to make the door wider.

"They are closing banks left, right and centre. They will just use this as a reason to close that branch.

"It's just stupid how they haven't complied with the law."

She has also contacted Colchester MP Will Quince, who has written to the bank a number of times.

She heard back from the bank in September last year, saying alterations to the building would be completed by the end of November 2017, was later told the work would have to be postponed.

A spokesman for Lloyds said: “We have been working closely with the local planning office to ensure the bank is accessible for all of our customers.

"Whilst we are reliant on planning approval to be able to proceed with making the necessary adjustments, we hope to have a temporary solution in place.

"We apologise to our customers for the length of time this has taken to resolve.”

Discussions are ongoing with Colchester Council's planning department about a permanent solution.

Lloyds said it has given £275 to Mrs Cooke in recognition of the stress and inconvenience caused.