A DUCHESS and a cricket club chairman were among the guests at a North-East charity's launch yesterday.

From today, the North-East branch of the national Down's Syndrome Association will be recognised as a charity in its own right - Down's Syndrome North-East (DSNE).

To mark the change, its newly-appointed patrons, the Duchess of Northumberland and Durham County Cricket Club chairman Bill Midgley, joined members from throughout the region at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

One of the event's highlights was a fashion show starring Down's Syndrome children and adults who modelled smart and casual clothes from John Lewis, in Newcastle.

It also featured an illustrated talk by members of the Down's Young Adult Group about their independence break at Calvert Trust, Kielder.

A group of African drummers, from Tyneside, gave impromptu training to some Down's Syndrome children, who then joined in with a drumming session.

For more than 25 years, the North-East branch has provided support and practical help for parents and carers.

DSNE secretary Ken Moore said he hoped it would be even more effective as an independent charity.

"Although we will retain our close links with the national Down's Syndrome Association, our new status provides us with an opportunity to develop new initiatives," he said.

"We also want to step up our work in promoting awareness, challenging the Government on disability equality issues, and funding research into areas such as speech therapy.

"We are going to present a positive image of those with Down's Syndrome, and show just what is possible when people are given the opportunity and encouragement to achieve their full potential."

Kaye Demoily, of Middlesbrough, whose Down's Syndrome daughter Katy, 21, has won five gold medals for gymnastics in the Special Olympics, said: "The Down's Syndrome Association has given us tremendous support.

"Now we will have a lot more say over how we spend funding."