LAST week the Herald received a phone call about a 91-year-old who had been trapped in her home for nine weeks because of a faulty lift. 

Freda Chapman lives in Canvas Court and her friend Debbie Lewis called us out of concern for Freda’s wellbeing. She said: “Freda has been a prisoner in her own flat.”

Within days of the Herald contacting the management in charge of Canvas Court, the lift was fixed. 

Christian Reid, who manages Canvas Court, explained there was not an easy fix.  

“Given the age of the lift some of the parts are obsolete. The contractors, who have been very attentive, have had to source parts from outside the UK and I believe one part had to be manufactured.”

The part in question was fitted the day before the Herald contacted Mr Reid, and the lift is now once again operational.