NEWS that the Waveney area will be given more funding for disabled facilities this year has been welcomed by a woman whose mother is benefitting from the fund.

NEWS that the Waveney area will be given more funding for disabled facilities this year has been welcomed by a woman whose mother is benefitting from the fund.

Last week it was announced that Waveney would receive a rise of 44pc in disabled facilities grant funding, which allows improvements to the homes of disabled people.

The news has been greeted by Julie Etteridge, whose mother Pauline has received a grant to improve her home in Westhall.

Pauline, 68, has been left disabled following a subarachnoid haemorrhage and received around �20,000 for a number of adjustments to her bungalow, which will allow her to move back to her home from hospital at the end of the month.

Julie said it was fantastic that more people would benefit from the grants and be able to move home. “Without the facilities grant we couldn't bring mother home,” she said. “It means a great deal, without the money we'd be sunk.”

Julie's mother, who has lived in Westhall for nearly 40 years, suffered the haemorrhage in her brain 18 months ago. She has since been in hospital, but thanks to the grant it is hoped she will return home on April 27.

Work started in January at the bungalow, which has included making the four doors wider, creating wheelchair access, installing a ceiling hoist, and making the bathroom into a wet room.

Overall councils in Norfolk and Suffolk will receive between �345,000 to �470,000 in disabled facilities grant funding, and in total �167m will be distributed nationally - a rise of 7pc compared to last year's round of funding.