PLANS to develop a play area for disabled children are expected to become a reality this year.

North Lodge Park, in Darlington, has been selected as the proposed site for the development by a review group which has been considering the proposals. Parents of disabled children, the Friends of North Lodge Park and a London consultancy firm, Kids Active, have all been involved in the early stages of talks.

A joint meeting of Darlington Borough Council's social affairs and health and environment scrutiny committees will discuss the group's final report next week.

A total of £105,000 is needed for the development, £50,000 of which has also been secured from a variety of agencies.