BOLTON is one of two North-west councils to receive multi-million pound funding to help ease the pressure on families with disabled children.

Town Hall chiefs will get about £2.5m after being named among 21 "Pathfinder" areas in a Government shake-up of services for children with disabilities.

The cash will be used to give families a break from caring, either by providing care in their homes or getting disabled children involved in outside activities.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said the breaks were designed to give disabled children enjoyable and valuable experiences away from their families and give hard-working parents and carers some respite.

Education and care services minister Lord Adonis said: "The Government wants all families to have the support they need to bring up their children, including disabled children. At the same time, disabled children and young people deserve the same opportunities as other children and young people to experience life away from their families and grow to their full potential."

Executive member for children's Services, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: "This further boost in the region of £2.5 m over the next three years will enable us to continue the transformation of services that we started in 2004. We are also committed to working with families and children so they have a say in how new services will develop."

The other council to benefit from the cash in the North-west is Halton in Merseyside, which will get £1.5 million.