CROWDS poured into Ludlow last weekend to see dancers, musicians and street performers at a special Disability Awareness Weekend.

But businesses shunned a champagne seminar last Friday evening, at which they could have learned about the changes they have to make before new disability laws come into force on October 1.

"We sent out 500 invitations, but only 30 people attended," said district councillor Richard Phillips, chairman of South Shropshire Access Group, which campaigns for disabled people.

"It's disappointing that when people could have the facts handed to them on a plate, they didn't turn up."

In her presentation on how employers and service providers will be affected by the Disability Discrimination Act, Barbara Lisicki warned that big changes had to be in place by October. "The date has been written in to the Act for four years, so it shouldn't be a surprise," she said.

Ludlow still has some way to go, according to the access group.

For instance, although many pubs are accessible to wheelchairs, none in Ludlow has an adapted toilet.

There are accessible adapted toilets at the Feathers Hotel, Ego Caf Bar and the Assembly Rooms.

Out in the streets, disabled musician Johnny Cresendo led the entertainment, with help from the Sign Dance Collective.

"The great thing is that people came from a distance specially for this and they stayed a long time," said Councillor Phillips.

"It was dry all weekend, and that made a huge difference."