COUNCIL officials have admitted that overspending on facilities for the disabled is creating a large financial problem.

As reported in The Northern Echo last week, Darlington Borough Council officials were considering ploughing more money into their disabled facilities grants scheme, which gives residents money to upgrade their homes and which faced a substantial shortfall.

The money needed to meet the growing demand is not there - leaving officials with a major budget headache.

In 2003/04, the council set a budget for the scheme 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, projections to the end of the year show that demand will exceed the revised budget by almost £700,000.

The budget for alterations to council properties suggests an overspend of £331,000.

Social services director Margaret Asquith admitted yesterday that there was "a large financial problem here".

She told a social affairs and health scrutiny committee that eliminating waiting lists for occupational therapy meant more residents wanted to upgrade their own homes.

"The work that we know is still required far exceeds the budget we have," she said.

"If we make no changes, there will be significant complaint from the public."

Cabinet members will consider the matter shortly and will be asked to take action to alleviate the problem.