A NORTH-EAST town's hopes of kicking off a future Paralympic sport will take a further step this week.

It is hoped that Darlington can lead the development in the UK of Powerchair Soccer, a six-a-side sport for wheelchair users which originated in Japan.

The plans have already been backed by football legends, including ex-Newcastle United star Malcolm Macdonald, England World Cup winner Jack Charlton and Darlington FC manager David Hodgson.

The first demonstration game will take place at Beaumont Hill School, on Glebe Road, with players from Darlington FC taking on a team from the Percy Hedley Foundation in Newcastle.

The demonstration has been organised by Darlington FC's Football in the Community scheme and Darlington Supporters' Trust.

"It's great for Darlington Football Club to be involved in such a venture and, if all goes well, we could be the first club to have a powerchair football team," said Football in the Community Officer Kevin Stonehouse.

Mr Macdonald, who hopes to be at the demonstration, added: "This game is going to be huge, globally, and I can see it becoming a Paralympic sport.

"The children love football, and to be able to play it like this is truly wonderful. This is not a tame sport - they really give it their all when they go in for the tackle.

"If we back these youngsters by a fraction of the support given to other sports, we will have even more world-class players in our region".

The demonstration is to raise awareness of the sport, which uses adapted wheelchairs and a large ball.

The demonstration will take place on Thursday, at 12.30pm.

It is hoped to set up a team in Darlington to compete in a North-East league.