BIKES, trikes and basketball nets are just some of the toys Worcester youngsters will be able to borrow, thanks to a mobile toy library.

Toys for special needs children and computer games for older youngsters can also be borrowed for a month when Borrowers Toy Library comes to Dines Green.

The library, which is the only one in Worcestershire, caters for youngsters from birth to 13-year-olds.

"Toys for special needs children include dexterity toys, musical frames and musical instruments," said Sue Hancox, co-ordinator at Borrowers Toy Library.

Co-ordination

"We've got lots of different types of building aid toys to help with special needs children's co-ordination."

Borrowers Toy Library, which has been situated in Barnards Green, Malvern, for around six years, will be taking its services out to The Green Centre, Dines Green, for the first time this Thursday, from 10am to 2pm, and then on the fourth Thursday of every month.

"If the service is needed we will look at providing it more regularly," said Mrs Hancox.

Mrs Hancox, who has worked for Borrowers Toy Library for a year-and-a-half, said Dines Green was chosen because it was in a Sure Start area.

Sure Start is a Government-funded project and parents living in Worcester's main Sure Start areas of Dines Green, Brickfields, Tolladine and Warndon have been consulted on how to use the cash.

"Although we don't get funding from Sure Start we work in conjunction with them," said Mrs Hancox

"It costs a group such as a crche £35 a year to join the library, and Sure Start will be able to pay for certain groups to join the toy library."

Mrs Hancox said family membership costs £20 for a year.

"After joining you can have four pieces of equipment for four weeks to take home," she said.

"You bring them back in a month's time - it's like a library but a library for toys."

The Borrowers Toy Library, which has around 4,000 toys to chose from, has also been going to Stourport-on-Severn Library once a month for the past three months.

"Anyone can use it," said Mrs Hancox, of Salters Close, Blackpole.

"Sometimes grandparents may have their children stay for the week so many grandparents borrow some toys."

Mrs Hancox said the first 20 registered groups or childminders who came to the first session at Dines Green would get full annual membership of the library thanks to funding by the Early Years and Childcare Partnership.