A GROUP of children with learning and physical disabilities have been enjoying a series of dance-based workshops with their able-bodied counterparts.

Five youngsters from Integrating Children have joined seven other children in a Chinese New Year-themed arts project, with artist Apple Xue Yang.

The workshops, organised by Chester-le-Street District Council's leisure services, held at the Riverside, in Chester-le-Street, will culminate in a performance at 3pm today.

The children have been learning how to make a Chinese dragon for a dragon dance and choreographing the performance.

Co-ordinator of the Integrating Children charity, Janet Howarth, said the group had been set up four years ago for children with learning and physical disabilities, to promote integrated play with other children.

The group aims to help them overcome physical and attitudinal barriers and to offer personal support.

Each child has a personal plan, identifying the activities they would like to develop, along with an action plan to support them. The group is helped by support workers who act as befrienders and look after them.

Integrating Children, which has been sponsored by the National Lottery, and Children in Need, caters for 67 children from the Chester-le-Street and Durham areas.

Ms Howarth said the five children who have taken part in the Chinese dance workshops would go on to take part in workshops with Jack Drum Arts theatre group, before taking part in the production Ramayana at the Durham Gala Theatre on March 20.