If you think it is difficult making your way around Grimsby town centre on a busy Saturday afternoon, imagine what it is like for wheelchair users. I took up the challenge of manoeuvring a wheelchair around Freshney Place - and found it was a more difficult task than some think.

I started my afternoon at West St Mary's Gate in a wheelchair borrowed from genuine user Mike Stevens (61), of Louth Road, Grimsby, who I met there.

Together we made our way around the centre.

The first thing I felt as I began wheeling around, was a sense of being in the way.

People moved politely as I struggled to control the wheelchair, but I could not help feeling a nuisance.

My first real challenge was to make my way through Binns department store on Victoria Street.

I met difficulty straight away and struggled to open the doors. To her credit, a kindly security guard was promptly on the scene to assist me.

Weaving through the busy store was a tricky task, and I found myself constantly dodging hurried shoppers.

By the time I had emerged into Freshney Place's Friargate mall, I was aware of an ache in my upper arms - and this after only 10 minutes!

My companion, Mr Stevens, commented: "Even though most people are only to willing to help you, it is still difficult enough." How true.

I then spent a period of time negotiating the mall itself. Again, the majority of people stepped to one side as I wheeled my course, but not knowing for sure if they would or not meant I was constantly stop-starting.

My next stop was Boaters Cafe in the centre. Although there was an apparently convenient entrance - a gentle slope - even this was far from easy.

Half way down, I had to back-up because of another wheelchair travelling towards me from the opposite direction.

Once in the cafe itself, the service was excellent. After coming to a halt at the counter, I was told if I went to find a seat I would be attended to.

Manageress Laura Wood explained: "We appreciate how difficult things can be for the disabled and wheelchair users.

"Although, in general, we only operate a counter service, we are happy to serve from tables in these cases."

I chatted to Mr Stevens as we made our way back to his car.

He mentioned that one of the most annoying things was when he was out and about with friends and family, and people would talk about him rather than directly to him, things like "How is Mike?"

As he pulled away from his parking space, I noticed other cars parked in neighbouring disabled spaces - not displaying the relevant badge.

Overall, I found most people only to happy to help. But it was still a tough, and surprisingly physical task, for what most people take for granted as an everyday practice.