Life is getting back to normal for pensioners in a York retirement complex after the lift was finally fixed yesterday.

More than 60 elderly residents of Fairfax Court in Acomb faced having to climb up and down 28 stairs every time they needed to do some shopping or take their rubbish out.

The lift was out of action for two months after the parts needed to repair it had to be shipped in from Spain.

Resident Maggie Potter, 73, said: "The lift has been up 14 years and does get some hammer I must admit.

"Nothing lasts forever and it was due for an upgrade but it broke down just before they were coming to do it.

"The reaction to it being fixed has been sheer delight. There are 28 stairs over two floors. We have a chap who is 100 this year and the rest are aged sixty upto 99."

Fairfax House was built in 2000. A company own the building but the residents own their own flats.

Good neighboursTony Barber, Sue Prudom, and Chris Foster have all been praised for running errands during the problems.