A BASINGSTOKE holidaymaker, who slipped on steps and badly hurt her back, is suing the owners of a Cornish caravan park for more than £300,000 compensation.

Margaret Manners and her family had booked four chalets at Killigarth Manor Park, and were told one would be suitable for a wheelchair user, according to a High Court writ.

But when she arrived at the park, Mrs Manners discovered her chalet could only be accessed by five high steps, and there was no other accommodation available, the writ says.

The owner provided a breeze block on the ground in front of the first step, the writ says. As she returned with her family from a day trip, Mrs Manners tried to go up the steps, but her crutch slipped in the rain, and she fell on the ground and her crutch.

Ilfracombe-based John Fowler Holidays, which runs the holiday camp, at Polperro, admitted liability for her injuries, the writ says. But the two sides are thought to be unable to agree how much compensation she should receive.

Mrs Manners, of Prescelly Close, injured her spine in the fall, and this has led to loss of sensation and movement in her arms and legs. Although she used a wheelchair, she could walk short distances, and did not use the wheelchair at home.

Now, she depends on her wheelchair, needs help with food, depends on others for all the activities of daily living, and can only use two rooms in her home. She cannot try clothes on, avoids going shopping, cannot shower, hold her grandchildren, and needs help with washing and dressing.

Before the accident, she was able to wash, cook, do housework and vacuuming, enjoyed knitting and sewing for her grandchildren, and helped out with babysitting and in one of her daughter’s shops, says the writ issued by Alison Parker of solicitors asb-aspire.

Mrs Manners claims the company was negligent and says it failed to provide a property with suitable access for a wheelchair user, wrongly claimed the property was suitable for a wheelchair user, and failed to provide safe steps, handrails, and anti-slip surfacing.