PICK-ME-UPS come in various shapes and sizes. The one arranged for Sharon Gillinghan was somewhat bigger than a welcome chocolate-shaped booster. Her friends felt that she needed a lift, and so organised a visit by one of those television programmes that specialises in making over people’s homes.

The difficulties Sharon has faced include the death of her husband, breast cancer and having been born with polio.

So a call was made to the team behind the ITV programme 60 Minute Makeover, and while Sharon was bustled away the makeover magicians went to work, transforming two rooms in her York home.

Sharon chimed with the happy cliché of the genre. When she saw what had been done, she couldn’t believe her eyes.