A Good Samaritan has stepped in following an Argus story of a window cleaner crippled after a fall.

Steve Walker broke his back when he fell 20ft from a ladder in Brighton. He is now confined to a wheelchair and cannot tend his prized carp and goldfish in the pond or help his wife in their back garden.

Disability benefits are keeping Mr Walker, of Copse Hill, Westdene, Brighton, and his wife Jan ticking over, but there is no money left for extras such as a ramp to the garden.

Builder Eamonn Mulligan read last week's story and has agreed to build the ramp free of charge.

Mr Mulligan, a partner in C&E Contractors, had a paralysed brother back in his native Ireland. He said: "I know from my brother's experience what frustrations people go through when they are paralysed.

"We built a house specially adapted for my late brother back in Ireland."

Mr Mulligan, 43 and who lives in Saltdean, Brighton, added: "I saw the Argus article and thought 'If you can't do any good in life for someone, don't do any bad'."

The gesture has been gratefully received by Mr Walker, 47, and Jan, 44.

Mr Walker said: "It is absolutely marvellous and I can't thank Mr Mulligan enough."

Mrs Walker said: "People have been so kind. It is fantastic to realise there are so many kind people in the world.

"It has really restored our faith in human nature."

The couple's friend Stella Rutherford, 44, is organising a sponsored "crossdressers" ball for friends and relatives to raise money for Mr and Mrs Walker.

The event, at Bevendean Social Club in Bevendean Road, Brighton, on November 19, will help buy Mr Walker an electric wheelchair.