A CENTRE which will provide support for people with sight and hearing impairments is set to open in Darlington.

Councillors are being asked to make £25,000 available to launch the project, which will be based at Vane House.

The resource centre being planned will be aimed at residents who have sight and hearing difficulties.

The service was originally based at The Lawns nursing home, but plans had to be made for its re-location when it was announced that the home would close.

Officials first thought that the cost of moving the service elsewhere would be in the region on £125,000, but discovered that Vane House offered a cheaper alternative.

The building, in Vane Terrace, was previously being used by the borough council's social services department as a drop-in facility for people with learning difficulties.

But, if councillors give the go-ahead, it will undergo a major refurbishment to allow the service to operate from there.

Members of the council's cabinet are meeting on Tuesday, when they are expected to release the funds required.

The director of social services, Margaret Asquith, is urging councillors to make the money available.

She said: "Work will be carried out to enlarge the present kitchen into a well-equipped training and rehabilitation kitchen."

Her report to councillors said the authority would also establish an information technology suite and undertake soundproofing and other redesign of the space to allow for community care assessment arrangements and for private interview within the property.

Previously, people had to travel to Teesside to receive specialist services and advice.

The Darlington scheme will provide a range of equipment, including computers adapted for users with impaired sight or hearing.

The kitchen will have adapted equipment for people with sight problems so they can learn how to cater for themselves or try out the latest utensils.

It is hoped that the service will be able to cater for up to 200 people.