Local councils are failing to meet new disability access laws, a watchdog has warned.

The Disability Rights Commission warned on Monday that local authorities must meet new regulations on access that come into force next year or face ending up in court.

Under the new laws public services and private firms must adapt their buildings to improve access for disabled people.

But the commission joined with the Local Government Association to raise concern that many authorities have been too slow to meet their new responsibilities.

"We aren't just talking about putting a ramp up the front of the town hall but also about improvements to premises where a whole range of services," warned the commission's chief executive Bob Niven.

"There are 8.5 million disabled people in Britain who are regular users of council services. The strategy we're launching today with the LGA will help local authorities around the country make their services genuinely open for all."