DISABLED and disadvantaged children and adults will be able to learn about new technology at the Coldwell Activity Centre in Burnley with the completion of a £15,000 IT suite.

Lord Shuttleworth officially cut the ribbon to open the suite and a new sensory spiral wall.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley, Coun Gordon Birtwistle and Mrs Kathleen Birtwistle, also attended the opening ceremony.

Both pieces of equipment will be put to good use by community groups.

The IT suite, which contains seven flat screen computers and software, was funded through grants from the Abbey National and Pendle Community Network.

The sensory wall was funded by the Lancashire Environmental Fund.

Gillean Barraclough, centre manager, said: "The wall is like a maze which is wheelchair accessible and has a lot of art features which appeal to the senses of smell, sight, hearing and touch.

"A lot of visually impaired people come here, so it is good for them and it is unique.

"It was built by a dry-stone waller over a nine-month period and people from community arts in Blackburn have done a lot of work on it.

"Youngsters who have been here on day visits or residentials and adults with learning difficulties have also helped out."

Coldwell Activity Centre, in Back Lane, is a residential centre providing holidays for disabled and disadvantaged groups.

It also provides basic IT training for people with learning difficulties, as well as skills in crafts, horticulture, literacy and numeracy.