A CHARITY has made a good start in raising funds for a support service for pre-school children with Down's syndrome.

The group, which formed earlier this year and hopes to raise £20,000 by November, organised a bag pack at Morrisons, in Darlington's Morton Park, and raised £600.

A further £300 was raised for the charity by Well Hill School, in Middlesbrough.

Committee chairman Sandy King, whose baby grandson Alex was born with Down's syndrome, said the £20,000 to be raised would be used to set up a support centre in Darlington for children from the town, County Durham and Middlesbrough.

He said: "A lot of people turned up to support us and I was absolutely delighted.

"We are planning another bag pack, and next time we hope to do morning and afternoon shifts."

Meanwhile, the next event is being planned by committee member Joy Gordon. She is is organising a music evening at the Forum, in Borough Road, Darlington, on June 27.

Darlington Big Band has agreed to play and the Forum is supplying the premises free of charge.

There will also be a raffle. Tickets cost £10 and will go on sale shortly.