A Banbury-based charity has received one of BBC Children in Need's largest grants to help a new project involving disabled children.

Dogs for the Disabled, with its HQ on Blacklocks Hill, trains dogs to help people with disabilities.

Last year the charity became the first organisation in the UK to train assistance dogs to help disabled children live more independently.

Three dogs have already been trained and paired with disabled young people, and a further eight partnerships are planned for 2005.

The £72,927 grant from Children in Need will help the charity recruit and fund a new training instructor for three years.

Peter Gorbing, the charity's chief executive, said: "It was great to hear that Children in Need is supporting our work. Their money will help this special project."

Special assistance dogs are taught practical tasks such as picking up the TV remote, opening doors, and helping the child undress.

The charity is planning an information day for interested families on May 12.