A CAF run by adults with learning disabilities received a welcome cash boost last week as it celebrated its first birthday

The Coachhouse Caf, at the Upsall Hall Rural Centre, near Nunthorpe, has received £12,000 from the Cleveland Society Mencap.

Ten adults from the hall, all with learning disabilities, currently run the caf, supported by centre staff.

The caf, which has steadily built up its business, is now ready to relocate to an empty bungalow in the centre's grounds.

The Mencap gift will allow the centre - providing planning approval is given - to add a conservatory, allowing twice as many people to enjoy the weekday service, from 10am to 3pm.

Derek Enderby, manager for the centre, which is run by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's social services department, said: "We wanted to create a training opportunity for our people in a real-life situation so people would experience not only handling money, but working with customers, preparing food and developing food hygiene skills.

The centre has gained Neighbourhood Renewal Funding of more than £80,000 to convert the existing caf into a skills area for woodwork and metalwork, setting up two businesses, again employing service users.

The Cleveland Society Mencap chairman Barbara Thompson said: "We are delighted to be able to give money to this project because it's going to directly help people with learning disabilities - and it's something in concrete, too."

The group is amalgamating with the Grenfell Club, Redcar, and sharing out its final accounts, which total £40,000.

The Grenfell Club is receiving the largest donation, £15,000, and six other projects are also benefiting, including Upsall Hall.

"It's been like winning the lottery - and sharing it," said Ms Thompson.

* This week, until Friday, caf staff will be giving away scones freshly-baked at Upsall to customers buying a cup of tea or coffee.