AN extra £200,000 is to be ploughed into providing support for disabled people in Darlington, as council bosses try to avert a funding crisis.

Darlington Borough Council is investing the additional money in the disabled facilities grants scheme, which allows residents to upgrade their homes, in order to meet a fast-growing demand.

In 2003/04, the council set a DFG budget of £270,000 but went on to spend £610,000 during the year.

For 2004/05, the same budget was initially set but was later increased to £484,000.

However, officials revealed that projections to the end of the year showed demand for grants would exceed the revised budget. In future years, there is expected to be an annual demand for £504,000 worth of grants, compared to the £270,000-a-year available.

Last night, council cabinet members approved the release of £200,000 to help clear the backlog of cases.

Councillor Bill Dixon said: "The increase in finances this year will allow us to catch up with the game as far as disabled facilities are concerned."

The problem has arisen mainly because of occupational therapy waiting lists being eradicated. An increase in the number of people living independently as a result has created greater demand for home improvement grants.