THE Mayor of Spennymoor visited a company in the town which boosts employment opportunities for disabled people.

Mayor Councillor Ross Hawkes called at Remploy in Spennymoor, to raise a flag marking 2003 as the European Year of Disabled People and to support its latest campaign.

The company wants to make an extra effort this year to run activities and business challenges for people with a range of disabilities and help them into work.

Encouraging equal rights, breaking barriers and cutting discrimination will be on the agenda.

Remploy campaigns will include Donate A Day for employees to donate time to a community project; and a Double the Opportunities challenge to businesses to create more scope for employment of disabled people.

Coun Hawkes said he supported the scheme and was pleased to raise the flag to spread the message to the local community.

Barrie Webster, manager at Remploy Spennymoor, said: "The flag is only a symbol, I invite employers and other organisations throughout the region to contact Remploy and explore ways in which they can improve the lives of disabled people throughout the region."