A FORMER council employee wants to set up a day centre to help people with learning disabilities gain work experience.

Jeffrey Spence wants to use his redundancy money to create a centre for up to 25 adults and young people aged 16 and over, who will be trained in painting and decorating, woodwork and outdoor maintenance, as well as arts and crafts.

Mr Spence, who worked as a day service officer for Darlington Borough Council for more than 13 years, decided to start the venture after four schemes for people with learning disabilities closed as a result of Government cuts, which are forcing the council to axe £20m from its budget over four years.

One of the schemes that was cut was a training and therapy scheme managed by Mr Spence, who lives in Hartlepool.

Now, he wants to transform a former shop on Cleveland Trading Estate, in Darlington, into the day centre, and has submitted a planning aplication for a change of use at Unit 3, Lloyds Court.

The scheme will aim to help the trainees operate safely in the work place, gain an understanding of the world of work, gain skills and a portfolio, and help the trainee to be included in the local environment.

The application said that up to five members of staffwould supervise the trainees, and the centre would open between 9am and 3pm.

Mr Spence intends to install heating at the former shop, which has parking for ten cars.

In support of the application, Mr Spence said the venue was easily accessible by public transport and car, and included disabled toilets.

"It is an ideal venue for the training and therapeutic centre as the floor plan offers ample space for trainees, mobile or wheelchair users, to move around safely when accessing the woodwork and painting and decorating areas.

"The overall aim of the scheme is to improve the life chances of peoople with learning disabilities through in-house training and therapeutic activities, which will lead to the trainee widening their participation, being socially included in their local environment in relation to their lifelong learning."

The plans can be viewed and commented on at darlington.gov.uk