A DRIVING instructor is to help disabled people get back on the road to independence.

Roy Hadley has been appointed by driver training experts BSM to support those with mobility difficulties.

Mr Hadley will deliver individually tailored driver training through Mobility, which is BSM's specialist training programme for people with disabilities and older drivers.

Based at the BSM centre in Claypath, Durham City, Mr Hadley will operate throughout Durham, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Bishop Auckland, Stanley and surrounding villages.

Mr Hadley, 46, who lives at Great Lumley, recently completed a course of further professional training at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation Mobility Centre, in Carshalton, Surrey.

Disabled people seeking lessons will be provided with dual-controlled automatic car fitted with specialist adaptations.

"Being able to drive is a valuable skill which can make a very important difference to people with all sorts of mobility problems because it enables them to become more independent,'' said Mr Hadley, who was an officer with the Metropolitan Police for 13 years before changing careers.

He said: "Passing a driving test is a key milestone for people with disabilities and often spurs them on to investigate other opportunities for independent living, especially in education or employment.''

Full details on the new service are available by telephoning Mr Hadley on 0191- 3842372.