YOUNG children with learning difficulties are getting bags of fun thanks to County Durham community groups.

About 70 children aged up to three will be able to develop their skills using individually created Storybags.

The project, which is funded by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, was launched at County Hall, Durham, on Tuesday at the Durham Portage Storybags Exhibition.

Each bag contains a book and hand-crafted objects ranging from a knitted Humpty Dumpty and a wooden bed to quilted backdrops and painted jungles made by local groups to help bring the story to life.

Among the groups involved are members of Women's Institutes throughout the county, the Skills Centre at Durham County Hospital, students on the Cache Diploma in Childcare course at New College, Durham, St Anne's Convent, Wolsingham, Durham Prison, Barnard Castle Youth Group, and families and friends of the Portage Service.

The Portage Service, part of Durham County Council's education department, provides a home teaching scheme for pre-school children with a wide range of disabilities.

Storybags co-ordinator Rosie Biddlecombe said: "We believe that the Storybags will be a valuable learning resource, providing opportunities for children to enjoy learning new play skills and to grow to love books. The scheme will positively promote the inclusion of children with disabilities into the community.

"The response from the groups has been tremendous. Many have taken complete ownership of the Storybag while others have contributed items for the bags.

"The best pieces are without doubt the things people have made. They have replicated characters from the stories down to the finest detail. They are fantastic.

"Storybags started last September and from small beginnings it has grown much bigger than I thought it would,'' she said.