A GROUP of disabled children is heading for a holiday at a country house.

The children will spend a week at Queen Mary's School, near Thirsk, after fundraising by members of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS).

Encouraged by Ian Angus, joint principal of Queen Mary's and district representative for IAPS, the organisation has raised almost £4,000 to fund the holiday.

The holiday has been arranged by the Newman Trust, a national charity which provides respite care for children with social and physical handicaps.

Mr Angus said: "We wanted to support the excellent work of the trust, and our members decided we would raise money to cover as much of the cost of the holiday as possible and although it's a significant amount, we've been successful. The children will come here on Saturday, August 18, and stay for a week."

The 25 youngsters will enjoy a range of activities in the school's 50 acres of parkland and will use the school as a base for outings in the area.