Does anyone know this children's book?

[MargotMoon]

This is so vague I don't hold out much hope...I've googled but drawn a blank.

The story involved a magic step ladder (!) which (I think) was tiny when it was folded but got bigger when it opened and the children in the story discovered this and climbed on to it and were transported somewhere else. Some of the lower steps were painted a different colour and I think that had something to do with whether the magic worked.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Faraway_Tree

This doesn't seem like the answer but it's my best guess ...

No it's definitely not Enid Blyton! I read it in the 80s and it was more contemporary - 70s at a guess.

"Anthony" something, is the ladder a picture on the front of the book?

I was thinking of this author but can't find anything with a ladder

This one?

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No to both, sadly! It's not a picture book but there are pictures/illustrations in it. Think I would have read it when I was about 7 or 8?

Eleanor Farjeon wrote a short story called ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ which featured a boy called Anthony. Probably not what you’re looking for as it’s too old, but you never know.

No it's not that one either. I've been wracking my brains trying to think of any other distinguishing features. I think there may have been another magical object in the story but I can't remember it. I think there was a brother and sister. Not much to go on!