A PRIMARY school for children with special needs is opening its doors to the public for the first time.

Walworth School, in Newton Aycliffe, is determined to build closer links with the community.

The school, the only one of its kind in County Durham, is for primary school children who have a statement of special needs and are unable to cope in mainstream schools.

All 60 pupils, drawn from schools throughout the county, have emotional and behavioural difficulties and, in some cases, learning difficulties.

There are also some residential children, who stay at the school four nights a week for educational reasons.

The school was built in 1970, but many Newton Aycliffe residents do not even know it is there.

The school is holding an open day on June 27, from 1pm, for local people or anyone interested in finding out more about the way it works.