'DA-DAY' is on the way to Warrington.

Thousands of people will head for Walton Hall Gardens next Sunday, July 20, for this year's Disability Awareness Day.

It's the fifth year that the event - the biggest voluntary led disability exhibition in Europe - will take place.

Co-ordinator Dave Thompson, Warrington Community Health Care Trust's disability services adviser, claims it will be bigger and better than ever before.

Nearly 200 stalls will be set up, offering help and advice on disabilities ranging from multiple sclerosis to motor neurone disease.

A massive tented village will be erected in the park which means 140 of the stalls will be under cover.

More than 15,000 people turned up at last year's event and organisers are hoping for even more this time.

Dave said: "Just as the Olympics pulls sports people together then the Disability Awareness Day does the same for disabled groups.

"It's important that an event like this doesn't just cater for the disabled people though. We want to open it up to their families as well.

"It's been a flagship event which has sparked off other disability days in Denmark, Sweden and Gibraltar."

The latest technology to help disabled people will also be on display, including video conferencing machines to improve communications for the deaf.

A park and ride facility will operate. People can leave their cars at Priestley College and travel by bus to the park. The last bus leaves Walton Hall at 6pm.

Admission is free. Anyone who wants more information should contact Warrington 240852.

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