Lugging an extension ladder from my parents house and back again whenever I had call to use one was getting to be a chore and with a new house that was in need of a repaint and adjustment on the TV aerial, it was time to buy my own set.

I checked out all the major DIY retailers and then found this online at a big saving over the high street. The real selling factor for me was the built in stabiliser bar on the widest section. It only sticks out a few inches to the side but it gives me that little bit of extra confidence that the ladder won't slip or tilt when working at height. Works well on grass with the wide stance and the rubber end caps grip nicely on hard surfaces.

The 4.7m, 9 rung version is perfect for my needs. Long enough to reach the peak of the gable end of my house and with 3 sections it is sufficiently small that it can just get inside an estate car for when I've needed to transport it. There was a short adjustment period after having previously only used a wooden sided extension ladder as the aluminium construction does allow quite a degree of bounce when climbing. First time up was a bit wobbly for my liking but once you're prepared for the flexing it's not a problem.

Most of the time mine is used as an extending step ladder as shown in the picture of the product above, perfect for cutting hedges safely and great for getting at the gutters to clean out fallen leaves.

Easy to move round thanks to the lightweight aluminium construction and short enough sections to stand it up against the wall inside my garage unlike my father who has to wrestle to get his up onto the joists above his car.

If you're confident with heights then it is a great product but if you're a bit nervous going up a ladder then the bouncing effect when fully extended means you'd be better off looking at something a bit heavier and sturdier.