A CHARITY set up in a borrowed back yard ten years ago has bought land for a new £400,000 headquarters.

Chopsticks, based in Northallerton, has purchased a site on the town's Darlington Road Industrial Park.

It is planning to build a 650sq metre base to expand its kindling production.

The charity provides work opportunities for people with learning disabilities and has members from across Hambleton and Richmondshire.

Chopsticks also helps some members move into paid or supported employment and provides training to long-term unemployed people.

Chopsticks chairman Councillor John Coulson said: "We are delighted that we have achieved this important step with the securing of a site on a new industrial park.

"It will give us the chance to provide a greatly improved service to our existing members and to open our doors to others for whom we could not previously cater, in particular to wheelchair users who cannot be accommodated in our existing premises."

Planning permission for the headquarters was granted by Hambleton District Council in January and the charity is now nearing its fundraising target.

"We must not rest on our laurels though," said Coun Coulson. "Now is the time to build on this foundation and secure the remaining funds we need to provide the best possible facilities for people with disabilities in our area."

The charity was set up ten years ago by a small group of people with learning disabilities.

They started to chop firewood from scrap timber and sell the kindling to local people.

In 1997, they secured funding to buy equipment for firewood production. Four years ago, Chopsticks was awarded the Duke of York's Community Initiative for best practice in community enterprise and leadership.

Anyone who can help with fundraising events can call in at the Chopsticks office, at 64 High Street, or telephone (01609) 761661.

Details of the charity's Buy a Brick appeal are also available from the office. People can buy a brick in the new headquarters for a contribution of £5.