DEVON councillor Frank Letch struggles to open the heavy doors at County Hall in Exeter and has been told no modifications will be made despite his disability.

The county councillor, who can peel a potato with his feet, was born without arms and finds it impossible to open the large and heavy doors at County Hall which have round knobs rather than handles on the latches.

County Hall bosses have told Cllr Letch (Liberal Democrat) who represents Crediton, that the main doors to various committee and meeting rooms will not be adapted even though handles have been fitted to some other doors in the building to give the councillor access. 

A retired teacher and linguist, Cllr Letch has never let the fact that he was born without arms to get in the way of working hard and serving the community.

He was a French teacher for nearly 20 years and is also well known for his talks “Feet First”, where he demonstrates peeling a potato with a knife held between his toes.

He has also served as a trustee of REACH, a charity providing support and information for families who have children with upper limb deficiency.

Frank said:"Some door handles have been changed over which enables me to get in and out of a room. 

"Sadly, despite the county council's policy which says they will make reasonable adjustments, they tell me it is not possible to change the door knobs to door handles on the big and heavy doors to the various committee rooms.

"I can reach the door knobs with my feet, but it is impossible for me to turn the door knob and open to door. If a door slammed shut behind me, I could be trapped."

"The council's own diversity policy specifically includes a reference to the barriers faced by people with a disability including heavy doors and gates, or ones with handles that are too difficult to reach.

"Well, I can reach them, I just can't turn them and I really don't understand why the county council has made this such a sticking point," added Cllr Letch.