EXCITING opportunities for disabled people are opening up in Newton thanks to a unique package of respite care services launched by St Helens Council.

The modern approach to respite care offers a choice of services from residential respite care to activity holidays that include abseiling, canoeing, paragliding and horse riding for disabled people.

By linking up with organisations specialising in care for disabled people the council thinks it can provide short breaks tailored to need at no extra cost to the current system.

Clr John Fletcher, executive member for health and social care, said: "The radical new approach opens up a vast range of opportunities for disabled people and carers."