A CENTRE providing intensive physiotherapy to disabled children from across the country has moved to a new, larger centre due to increasing demand.

Pip Hoyer Millar launched the Footsteps Centre from her home near Wallingford in 2000 after spending two years in Poland where her daughter received intensive therapy.

The Footsteps Centre had been based in Warborough for three years but recently moved to Queen Street, Dorchester.

With one in 200 children born with cerebral palsy in the UK, there has been a growing demand from families needing intensive therapy.

As well as offering traditional physiotherapy, the centre uses a revolutionary piece of equipment known as the Spider, which allows physiotherapists to give more intensive, targeted treatment.

The Spider uses a series of elastic ropes to allow children greater mobility, and the new building has four Spiders compared to three in the old centre.

Ms Hoyer Millar, whose daughter Minty, 19, uses the centre, said: “In order to cope with the demand we have moved to these wonderful new premises. In Warborough, we had room for seven therapists, but now we have room for 10.”

Ms Hoyer Millar is also the founder of the Footseps Foundation, which was set up to provide grants to help families pay for sessions.

Last year, the Footsteps Centre helped 100 children from across the country and 54 of the families received Footsteps Foundation grants.

Each child receives two to three hours of treatment every day in a programme lasting three weeks.

The foundation now aims to raise £150,000 a year.

Hazel Scott, from Great Milton, whose son Oscar Scott Towers, seven, attends the centre, said: “Oscar has been physically and mentally disabled since birth but after going to Footsteps for the past four years he can sit up and crawl, and is making progress.”

The centre is now also helping babies by providing weekly sessions.

Visit footstepscentre.com