6pm update:
Disabled protesters have stormed a council office in Manchester and are refusing to move until accessible housing conditions in the city are reviewed.

Around 30 members of the Disabled Persons Direct Action Network (DAN) moved into the house in Burnage West housing office yesterday afternoon to hold a "house-warming party".

The campaigners are supporting Claire Lewis, a local wheelchair user, who claims she was promised accessible housing five years ago, but still resides in a first floor room without a lift.

"I'm at the end of my tether," says Ms Lewis, "and my case is not the worst scenario.

"An accessible home would increase mine and my daughters' independence and self-sufficiency.

"[Disabled people] are forced into dependency often by circumstances, rather than by illness or impairment."

The protestors have said that they will "stay as long as necessary", but will leave the offices peacefully only if accessible housing is found for Ms Lewis, if a meeting is arranged with the council's Director of Housing and if the council "satisfactorily explains" plans to provide accessible housing in Manchester.

A 24 hour notice has been served on the property and council officials have said that they will ask police to evict the protestors when the time is up.

Dave Hume, a spokesman for Manchester council, said: "Claire has been offered 12 alternative homes but has turned them all down."

A police spokesperson said that no arrests had been made and that as long as the protest remained peaceful, this would continue to be the case.

More information: www.propertiesmanchester.co.uk

David Felton & Patrick Greaney: 18 Jan, 2002