A North-East town's hopes of kicking off a future Paraolympic sport will take a step further this week.

It is hoped that Darlington can lead the development in the UK of Powerchair Soccer, a six-a-side sport for wheelchair users which originated in Japan.

The plans have already been backed by football legends including ex-Newcastle United star Malcolm Macdonald, England World Cup winner Jack Charlton and Darlington FC manager David Hodgson.

And now the first demonstration game will take place at Beaumont Hill School on Glebe Road, with players from Darlington FC taking on a team from the Percy Hedley Foundation in Newcastle.

The demonstration has been organised by Darlington FC's Football in the Community scheme and Darlington Supporters' Trust.

"It's great for Darlington Football Club to be involved in such a venture and if all goes well we could be the first club to have a powerchair football team," said Football in the Community Officer Kevin Stonehouse.

Mr Macdonald, who hopes to be at the demonstration, added: "This game is going to be huge globally and I can see it becoming a Paralympic sport.

"The children love football and to be able to play it like this is truly wonderful. This is not a tame sport - they really give it their all when they go in for the tackle.

"If we back these youngsters by a fraction of the support given to other sports, we will have even more world class players in our region". The aim of the demonstration is to raise awareness of the sport, which uses adapted wheelchairs with tyres as bumpers and a large ball.

It is hoped that a team will be set up in Darlington to compete in a North-East league the season after next.

The demonstration will take place on Thursday, May 12 at 12.30pm.