MORE children at a North-East special school will be able to enjoy outdoor pursuits, thanks to The Northern Echo.

Villa Real School, in Consett, County Durham, has received a £2,500 donation from Gannett Foundation, a charitable trust set up by the newspaper's parent company, Gannett.

The cash will go towards expanding the school's out-of-hours activities.

Villa Real is a mixed day school for pupils who have severe, profound or complex and multiple learning difficulties, or Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo, who presented the cheque at the school yesterday, said: "At Christmas time, it is particularly nice to be able to give such a special present to a school which carries out such outstanding work.

"We hope it enables them to extend the range of activities that clearly mean so much to the children."

The youngsters showed their guest a film of their recent trips, which included trying out boating, abseiling and orienteering.