A SOFT play room for children with disabilities opened in Bury today.

The room at the Herbert Coates Community Centre on Morley Street will be used by the Hurdles Family Support group, providing a safe play environment for the children.

It will cater specifically for youngsters with special needs, allowing them to mix with other young children, as well as providing support and help to parents and carers.

The room is padded and filled with plenty of safe, hands-on games including a climbing slide and small train. Children can receive added stimulation in a light sensory room.

Other activities run by Hurdles include a pre-school group, family support groups and a holiday play scheme. The charity also provides essential resources such as computer equipment and a resource library for parents.

Kenneth Simpson of Hurdles said: "This type of play room is something which families have travelled a long way for in the past and to have one on their doorstep will make a huge difference. Raising funds for the room has been an on-going project for several years."

The opening of the £8,500 room was made possible thanks to a £3,500 donation from the Lloyds TSB Foundation, one of largest charitable trusts in the UK.

Bury North MP David Chaytor was due to join staff and families at the centre today, together with Paul Cochrane, branch controller of Bury TSB.

Julie Bernman, who has a child with special needs said: "This new play room is wonderful for Emma. You only have to watch the children play to see how much fun they are having. It's great to have somewhere so safe for the children and so supportive for us."

Education secretary David Blunkett today held out a £6.5 million lifeline to voluntary playgroups. The package was announced as playgroup organisers warned that hundreds of groups faced closure because schools are scooping up four-year-olds into their own nursery and reception classes.

The scramble started as a result of the last administration's nursery vouchers scheme but figures today from the Pre-school Learning Alliance show it is continuing.

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