AN occupational therapy unit for children is to open in Newton Aycliffe after councillors gave their approval.

Sedgefield Borough Council granted planning permission for the scheme, in the former Aycliffe Decorative Supplies building on the edge of the Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

The service will be provided mainly for children in mainstream schools who have no obvious physical disabilities or illness, but have co-ordination problems.

The intention is for children to be brought to the unit by parents, who will remain there for half-hour sessions.

It is anticipated there will be up to a dozen children treated each day.

The council's economic development team raised concerns that the industrial estate might not be the most suitable location for the unit.

But a report to the council's development control committee said its location was acceptable.

The report added: "It is considered that due to the small- scale nature of the business there should be minimal impact on neighbouring premises.