TEENAGE campaigner Nathan Popple joined forces with a candidate in the forthcoming elections to check out accessibility to local shops.

Nathan, who has cerebral palsy, visited shops on Town Street in Horsforth with Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for the area Jamie Hanley, Colin McDonnell, deputy editor of Accessible Leeds, and his sister Maxine, to mark National Disabled Access Day on Saturday.

Nathan said: “I was really pleased to see how accessible so many places in Horsforth were and how welcoming people were to Colin and me.”

He added: “My new Accessible Leeds Approved certificates will be sent to the places we visited and I would like to say thank you to everyone we met on Disabled Access Day and to Jamie Hanley for getting involved and helping.”

Mr Hanley, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, said: “The aim of Disabled Access Day was for people to visit at least one place and look at the accessibility. Inclusion and accessibility for all is something that I am extremely passionate about and therefore I was delighted to meet up with the Accessible Leeds team and view accessibility through their eyes.

“Though, due to snow, we were only able to visit the top half of Town Street, it was a pleasure to visit so many retail owners and staff who take pride in ensuring accessibility.

“Some of the buildings on Town Street are unable to provide access for all due to age and location.

“However, everyone we met was fully behind doing everything they could to be helpful.

“Nathan and Colin are two exceptional young men who want to make a difference in the world and I was honoured to be part of their day.”

Nathan received an award last year for his work to improve the rights of disabled people.