DISABLED children in Preston are to have the opportunity to join in summer playschemes, thanks to an extra cash boost from Lancashire County Council's social services directorate.

After speaking to parents and carers in the area, it came to light that there was a need for extra provision for children with physical and mental disabilities.

County councillor Miss Doreen Pollitt said: "Fortunately we have been able to allocate over £70,000 across Lancashire and I am sure that many children will benefit from this."

The Preston district has seen the benefit of £28,100 of this grant, and the money has been used to support two separate schemes in the area.

The first such scheme provides the chance for 55 children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities to take part in a specially planned outing for four days a week.

The project, which will take place at Ribbleton Avenue Methodist School and will run for three weeks, is being assisted by a team of 60 volunteers from colleges and universities around the area.

A second scheme has been put into place to allow children with special needs to attend existing playschemes, through the provision of carers. This has enabled twenty eight children who would have been otherwise unable to attend to join in with the playschemes that many able bodied children have enjoyed in previous years.

The grant has been welcomed by parents and carers, as it will allow in total the equivalent of 325 days of respite care for children.