A SENSORY room of light and sound has been opened in the North-East for children with profound learning difficulties.

The £15,000 room, in the Pathways building at Darlington College of Technology, features equipment for people with severe sensory and communication problems.

A twinkling ceiling, multi-coloured bubble tube and a vibrating bed are just some of the highlights, along with a hi-fi system, ultra-violet lighting and fibre optic tubes with remote controls to make them easier to operate.

The sensory room, one of only a handful in the region, has been set up in partnership with the town's Beaumont Hill Special School.

Darlington college tutor Ruth Beckett said: "The pupils come down to the college every Friday, and when they were asked where they would like the room setting up, they said here.

"It is for people who can't communicate in more conventional ways. The room somehow taps into their senses using colour, light, sound and vibrations."

Beaumont Hill headteacher Dame Della Smith said: "What we needed was a facility at the college for sensory activities and we are already seeing the benefit."

Mary Kipling, of Darlington, who took her 17-year-old daughter, Odile, to the opening, said: "The room is absolutely fantastic."

Helen Stirk, of Staindrop, whose 17-year-old daughter, Lucy, was also at the opening, said: "It's brilliant and it is great that it is portable so it can be moved easily when the college switches to its new site."