A NEW sensory room has officially opened at a leisure complex.

Spider-man and Beauty and the Beast’s ‘Belle’ were on hand as Aycliffe Mayor Mary Dalton cut the ribbon at the ‘Sensory Squadron’s’ new facility within the ROF 59 activity centre on Aycliffe Business Park.

The £6,000 sensory room will provide children and babies with autism and other learning disabilities a space to enjoy and embrace the calming and soothing environment provided by sensory rooms.

ROF 59 leisure manager Chilli Mowbray, who has an autistic child, said: “We felt there wasn’t a facility of this type in the region for parents who have children with special learning needs, and you have to travel a long way to find it.

“These rooms can stimulate their senses but they can also help them to relax. More importantly, we’ll have staff on hand to look after young people in the sensory room, which gives parents the opportunity to take a break and chat with other parents.

“Parents don’t always get the chance to talk to other parents about their experiences and struggles, and this will give them that opportunity but in an informal, relaxed environment where they know their children are safe and having a good time.”

Aycliffe Mayor Mary Dalton and Deputy Mayor Val Raw were joined by ROF 59 founder John Finley at the official launch of the new sensory room.

Mayor Dalton said: “I think it’s absolutely wonderful, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before.

“I know some parents have to travel for something like this, so for us to have this on our doorstep in Newton Aycliffe is fantastic.”

ROF 59 built the new sensory room with guidance from the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) in Newton Aycliffe and nearby Tree Tops Nursery.

PCP chief executive Carol Gaskarth said: “It’s a fantastic new facility, not only for the people of Newton Aycliffe but the wider community as well.

“It’s a brilliant place for young people to come and enjoy."

ROF 59 reopened as an activity centre nearly four years ago, rejuvenating the old Presswork Metals building and former Second World War munitions factory into a 21st Century entertainment and leisure venue, after a £1.1m investment.