A NEW building which will give youngsters with special needs a safe place to play has been |officially opened by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

The Cedar Room, which will benefit youngsters at Maple Ridge School, in Maple Crescent, as well as Basingstoke Play Council, was declared open by Councillor David Leeks.

The new building, which cost around £200,000, has been jointly funded by Hampshire County Council and the school itself. It also features a contained, outdoor play area where children can have fun in a safe environment.

The room will be used for the school’s dance club during the week, and on weekends, it will host the play council’s Saturday clubs.

Staff will also be able to run training courses for other schools in working with children with autism and social difficulties.

Debby Gooderham, headteacher at Maple Ridge, is delighted with the new building. She told The Gazette: “We are very pleased the building is completed. We think it will make a big difference to what we can provide within the school |community.”

Margaret Bardsley, general manager of Basingstoke Play Council, added: “I think it is really important because it is a space for us that is more contained. Here is a site which the children know and are comfortable with.”

Representatives from the county council, governors and teaching staff were at the official opening.