THE country's top paralympian has opened a learning centre to help other people with disabilities.

Gold medal winner Tanni Grey-Thompson OBE cut the ribbon at Remploy's new centre in Hartlepool yesterday.

The centre is a joint initiative between Remploy and the TUC and GMB unions.

Remploy aims to help people with disabilities find meaningful work in the community and in the company's factories.

The learning centre in Hartlepool will encourage disabled people to learn new skills, including numeracy and literacy, as well as occupational skills which could help them find work outside Remploy.

Tanni, who lives and trains in Redcar, was joined at the launch by Remploy employees Joan Raey and Terry Murphy.

Joan, who is a skilled production line assembler, is retiring after 21 years of working, while Terry gained an array of skills from Remploy before finding external employment as an HGV driver.

Remploy's Hartlepool manager, Michael Conner, said: "Tanni Grey-Thompson is an inspiration to us all here in Hartlepool.

"Despite her disability, she has succeeded at the highest level and is a role model for us all to follow.

"Our learning centre is also about achievement, and I thank my TUC and GMB colleagues for helping get so far."