Disabled people who live on or visit the Islands will soon be able to enjoy better access to the beach.

A sand chair will arrive on St Mary’s next month, to be based at Porthcressa.

The chair has been funded by the friends of Cornwall Community Foundation through Disability Cornwall and is a first for the Isles of Scilly.

It has four large wheels for uneven terrain and can be taken to the water’s edge for disabled people to ease themselves into the sea.

The chairs cost £2,500 each and are already available in other parts of Cornwall, including St Ives, Falmouth, Polzeath and Bude.

They are a major boost to people with mobility problems, who have difficulty pushing traditional wheelchairs across beaches because the small wheels get stuck in the sand.

The chair will be blessed by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Reverend Bill Ind, at a ceremony sponsored by Coodes Solicitors and Peter Crane Accountants, at Porthcressa on Saturday August 11.