The Basingstoke Gazette has come to the aid of a terminally-ill woman who was refused entry to a local theatre.

Erika Heywood, (47), who has motor neurone disease, contacted The Gazette after she was told by The Haymarket theatre, in Basingstoke, that it could not accommodate her wheelchair for the performance because of the ongoing fire strike.

However, Gazette crime reporter Charis Mastris went down to the picket line at Basingstoke fire station and told them of Erica's plight.

Immediately, the firemen volunteered to help, saying they would accompany Erika to the show and carry her out if there was a fire.

At the news, The Haymarket relented and said that Erika, and two other wheelchair users, could attend the theatre.

The theatre said that Erika, who was also turned away during the November fire strike, was refused entry because the management were worried that without fire cover it would be too difficult to get wheelchair users out quickly in case of an emergency.

A beaming Erika told The Gazette: "I was really pleased that they have said they will come and help me. The theatre is one of the few pleasures I have left."

Firefighter Lud Ramsey, who will be one of the Green Watch firefighters accompanying Erika, said: "As soon as we heard that a disabled person needed our help, we were quick to respond.

"We were very happy to be able to do this. It is the type of thing we would do whether or not we are on duty."

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