A pensioner on a shopping trip to Abingdon has called for improvements to pavements after she stumbled on an uneven slab and fell.

Barbara Bond, of Farmers Close, Witney, needed three stitches to a cut on her forehead, her nose bled and her face was badly bruised.

She was treated at the doctors' surgery in The Charter.

She said: "Passers-by came to my aid and the staff at the surgery were most kind in patching me up.

"What struck me was the reaction from people who apologised for the poor state of pavements in Abingdon."

Mrs Bond was on a shopping trip to Abingdon in preparation for her 72nd birthday.

After the fall, her left eye swelled up and she had difficulty seeing.

She said: "I'm still not 100 per cent better.

"I like visiting Abingdon because it has a different range of shops than Witney, but the poor state of the pavements could deter people from visiting.

"They are not a good advert and the town is in danger of losing trade and goodwill."

Abingdon on Thames Chamber of Commerce is campaigning for improved pavements in the town.

President Howard Aldridge said: "We're getting complaints all the time. We keep reporting the position, but little appears to be done."

Most pavements in the town are the responsibility of the county council's highways department.

Engineer Brian Short said: "Some of the footways in the central area of Abingdon are uneven, but not all are a hazard. If we know they are dangerous then we repair them or make them safe.

"We get few complaints about the pavements."

The Southern area office is in Milton Road, Drayton, OX14 4EZ.

Call 01235 531331 or email drayton.depot@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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