A LEISURE centre for people with learning disabilities has been given the go-ahead for expansion as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Worcester.

The Snoezelen, a multi-sensory therapy centre for people with special needs, had to put its plans on hold earlier this year to await a review of special needs education.

The Turnpike Close site, in St John's, is leased rent-free from Worcestershire County Council and its future depended on the authority's plans for Manor Park School and its grounds.

"We thought we were going to be looking for new premises, but now we have been offered another 10-year lease, so our development plans are back on track," said project manager Penny Bews.

"We are really excited. After months of uncertainty, it's wonderful to have a secure future. It was a great birthday present."

Planning permission for a music room and extra therapy rooms had already been granted and fund-raising was well under way before the plan came to a halt in March.

In the meantime, a portable building has been brought into temporary use as a music room and the £70,000 extension has been redesigned.

As a charity, the Snoezelen is dependent on donations and grants to cover its annual £90,000 running costs, with users' fees contributing about 60 per cent.

It needs a secure future in order to attract grant aid.

The charity was set up in 1993 to convert a disused workshop in the grounds of Manor Park School into a leisure centre for people with physical and mental disabilities.

Mrs Bews opened the centre in 1993, managing the day-to-day running and fund-raising single handedly.

It has since been extended twice, first to add a reception area, office and extra toilets and then a massage room.

Now there are four full time staff and the Snoezelen attracts 350 people each week, travelling from around the Midlands to enjoy music, massage, a ball pool and soft play area, tactile corridor, relaxing white room and hydrotherapy pool.