THOUSANDS of brightly-coloured plastic balls have been bought to fill a play area at a disabled children's charity.

Thanks to generous fundraisers and supporters, the team at New Hope in Worcester have bought 5,000 balls for the ball pit at its Wells Road centre.

Around £1,300 was raised to buy the specialised toys through events including an afternoon vintage tea party – while money was also given by anonymous donors.

Jean Wilson, manager at New Hope, said: "They [the children] have just had such fun in there.

"It is therapeutic for them, it enables them to let off steam and it is just fun really.

"The balls are specialist and they are very expensive.

"We are a tiny charity and we do a lot of fundraising ourselves but when people come along and help us it makes such a difference."

New Hope, which was set up in 2010, works with children aged six to 19 with disabilities and complex health care needs.

It runs a Saturday club every week and holiday club during school breaks.

For more information, or to make a donation to New Hope visit newhopeworcester.co.uk