THE TREWERN Centre, where children from the borough go to explore the great outdoors, will be upgraded to better cater for disabled youngsters. More accommodation, improved toilet and shower facilities, and the replacement of the classroom block will help

THE TREWERN Centre, where children from the borough go to explore the great outdoors, will be upgraded to better cater for disabled youngsters.

More accommodation, improved toilet and shower facilities, and the replacement of the classroom block will help meet Disability Discrimination Act requirements.

Executive members and council officers agreed that the improvements were essential.

Leader of the council, Charles Fairbrass, said: "What we have at the moment is not good enough. We need to ensure that all children have the opportunity to enjoy the centre.

"The staff there want to be able to cater for all types of youngsters."

A total of �443,000 has been found within the budget to spend on the improvements.

This is due to an under-spend of �300,000 of Big Lottery funding on Dagenham Park School's sports hall, and Trewern Centre climbing wall, along with an extra �143,000 supplied from the DDA budget.

The Trewern education centre, located on the Welsh boarder in Hay on Wye has been owned by the council since 1967.

Upgrading its facilities to accommodate disabled children will mean more sleeping quarters and a classroom.

There are also no lifts at the centre, an issue that will need to be addressed.

And extra toilets and showers would be added that are DDA approved, wheelchair access to the building itself will also be improved.