DISABLED in Barrow have been told not to feel embarrassed about asking for financial help.

A grant Barrow Council awards to disabled people was increased from £5,000 to £7,500 at a meeting in the town hall on Wednesday.

It can go towards covering some of the costs of fitting disabled facilities in the home and has allowed people to create wet rooms and install a stairlift.

Executive committee member Cllr Brendan Sweeney said such adaptations made good financial sense by saving the NHS and care system “an absolute fortune”.

Cllr Sweeney, a Labour councillor in the Parkside ward, said: “People shouldn’t feel they are asking for charity if they ask for one of these grants from us. It makes economic sense for the country.

“It’s this sort of grant that prevents people from ending up in hospital from falls.

“There are plenty more people in the town who could be benefitting from these grants.

"If anyone has a relative who is disabled they need to get in touch with the team here because this can make such a difference to their lives.”

Cllr David Pidduck, leader of Barrow Council said the grants helped people remain independent and not have to rely on hospital and residential care.

“This is part of our council plan and it helps keep people in their own homes as opposed to having them in hospital for long periods of time. It’s a no-brainer to me,” said Cllr Pidduck.

Cllr Wendy McClure praised the council grant.

She said: “Keeping more people in their own homes and improving their self dignity is fantastic.”

Council executive director Phil Huck told the meeting that since the grants had been introduced, the uptake had soared.

Mr Huck said: “As a result of these measures, the number of disabled facilities grants been offered has gone up substantially.

“Between April and September 2018, we gave out a total of 88 grants, and that compares to 38 grants in the period before those changes were made.

“It is working and we are getting more grants out of that door and this is about extending this further.”