A PLAY scheme for disabled Darlington children, suspended following the October school break, is to be reinstated after the D&S highlighted parents' concerns.

The Dash scheme, run by Darlington Action on Disability, had to close in October when charitable funding came to an end.

Parents of severely disabled children, who relied on the scheme for a much-needed break, said they could not believe the council's stand-off when asked to pick up the bill.

Now, after talks with social services and the education department, the scheme will re-open.

Donations towards costs have been received from Darlington Lions, local businesses including Marks & Spencer as well as the local authority and Darlington Primary Care Trust.

The scheme, praised in an Ofsted inspection this summer, will offer a day's care before Christmas and guarantees have been made that holiday play schemes will run in February and at Easter.

As always, places will be offered on a first-come first-served basis.

The news was met with relief by service user Stella Bowden, mother of 11-year-old Charlotte, who is autistic and has severe learning and mobility difficulties.

She contacted the D&S Times in despair last month after writing to the council's director of social services and Darlington MP Alan Milburn.

She said: "This is absolutely marvellous news. We will have a play scheme for the half-term holiday in February and over Easter.

"The most difficult time for parents, however, is during the long summer break and there is no news on this.

"If Dash could get £35,000 from social services, which is about half the yearly costs, Dash could raise the rest itself. Without the summer scheme, parents will drop like flies and their children will have to go into respite care which costs the council £1,000 a week."

Lauren Robinson, DAD manager, said: "There would be no way that DAD would let such a worthwhile service fold.

"We have spent 15 years developing Dash to deliver the high standard it provides today and we have fantastic staff and volunteers who give up their holidays year after year.

"However, a further £10,000 is still needed to guarantee a normal full play scheme to accommodate everyone up until next April."

Gordon Pybus, chairman of DAD, added: "The discussions which have taken place in the last two weeks have led to a much better understanding of the issues facing the Dash service.

"Now we can concentrate on securing long term funding for this much-needed service and enable disabled children to access the same leisure opportunities that all other children do in their leisure time".

To donate to the scheme, contact DAD on 01325 489999.