SARAH Suthers knew that if plans for a new play area at Birtenshaw Hall Children's Charitable Trust were to be given the thumbs-up, the school would have to go that extra mile.

So the charity's fund-raiser was determined to come up with a scheme that would tick all the right boxes and secure lottery funding to get it off the ground.

Fingers are crossed that the Bromley Cross school and children's home, which The Bolton News revealed on Monday had submitted a planning application to Bolton Council, will be given the green light to go ahead with the playground.

But this is no ordinary playground. It is designed to bring together children with physical impairments, learning disabilities, those with autism and the able-bodied to play together.

It is a huge project - and will cost almost half a million pounds to get up and running.

A lottery grant - if it is awarded - will provide £250,000 but the remaining money will have to be raised by the Birtenshaw charity and its supporters who are hoping for help from local firms and organisations.

Traditional play items will be replaced by ground-level equipment catering for both wheelchair users and able-bodied children.

Children with autism often have a problem with big, wide open spaces where there are lots of children.

"This will be a perfect place for children with autism to be themselves, enjoy having fun and explore," said Sarah.

Slides will not have ladders - just specially developed mounds which are easier for disabled youngsters to use and climbing apparatus will be low to the ground, so youngsters can not hurt themselves if they fall. Meanwhile a wheelchair seesaw will activate a fountain, helping children learn about cause and effect.

Other equipment will include a walk-in kaleidoscope for children with autism and talk tubes will mean they can shout to their pals, or parents, at the other end of the playground with the help of an underground tube system.

There will be also be an educational water-based piece of play equipment as well as a "wobble board" which can be used by children with disabilities as they can sit on it and have a great time rocking from side to side.

Birtenshaw has 16 pupils, aged 10 to 19 with 13 living in its children's home - but it isn't only the school's pupils who will benefit from the scheme.

Sarah said: "Most families who have a child with learning disabilities, or autism, also have a child who does not have a disability. Often that child will feel left out as so much time must be spent with the sibling. This is a way the whole family can play together."

The play area will also be opened up to groups who can benefit from it.

Support and advice has been provided by Natasha Hagan who is regional programme and development officer for Play England North-west.

The lottery-supported Play England project wants to see all children and young people in the country having regular access to free, local play space.

Natasha said: "We tried to help Birtenshaw think outside the box when they were deciding what to do with their play area. It's very easy to get caught up in what a play area for disabled children should look like and there is so much more that can be done.

"The play area that has been designed is very different and looks great."

If lottery funding is agreed work will start on the play area in the summer and is expected to be in use by November this year.

Meanwhile fundraiser Sarah is taking part in the Great Manchester Run to help raise money for the new playground. She will run on May 18 and is looking for volunteers to join Team Birtenshaw, or make a donation to the appeal.

Anyone interested in finding out more or would like to donate should visit www.bmycharity.com/V2/sarahsuthers.

Birtenshaw Hall Children's Charitable Trust

BIRTENSHAW Hall Children's Charitable Trust operates two main services - the Birtenshaw Hall School and Birtenshaw Hall Children's Home.

Children educated and cared for by the charity have profound and complex learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorder.

The house and land used by the charity was donated by Bolton woman Ethel Hankinson Nelson - who bought it from the Ashworth family - 50 years ago.

It now provides education and a home for more profoundly disabled youngsters.