A PRESTON shopper, who tumbled in the city centre after getting the heel of her shoe stuck in a gap in the paving blocks, is calling on council chiefs to make the area safe.

Irene Ward, 58, of Sycamore Close, caught her heel in a block paving in Fishergate while walking around the shops with her husband, Bob, 70.

The telesales executive was shaken and badly bruised after the accident which, she claims, ruined her shoes.

Now she is calling on the council to make the paving level and foot the bill for her shoes to be repaired.

Mrs Ward said: "I went flying and my glasses nearly fell off. I was lucky my husband was there to help me up.

"There was a woman pushing a pram who was just behind me and she ran to see if I was all right and she got stuck in the crack as well.

"My shoes were scuffed and I've ruined the heel and my wrist was badly sprained and is still bruised."

The accident happened on Saturday, January 18, at about 1pm, when the city was full of shoppers.

She said: "I'd just come out of Marks and Spencers and turned right in Fishergate. I didn't expect the pavement to be unsafe and was badly shaken.

"It's a disgrace. I was lucky I didn't break anything. Something really should be done. The council should fix the path for pedestrians.

"And they could at least offer to pay for a new pair of shoes."

Councillor Andy Campbell, executive member for environment and sustainability, said: "This is a very unfortunate incident and we have sent an engineer to check the pavement."

Peter Corless, assistant director (engineering) at Preston City Council said that although the pavements and highways are improving, people are more aware of what they can and cannot claim for.

He said: "Insurance companies are mushrooming. People are becoming more litigious, but we can't be in all places, all the time.

"The county now has an inspections service which checks the pavements to make sure they are safe. It is constantly improving."