AN appeal has been launched to help make a retreat and conference centre more accessible to the disabled.

The trustees of Holland House, in Cropthorne, need to raise £9,000 for the work, which will include the creation of wheelchair access through the gardens and the provision of two disabled parking bays.

The Holland House Charitable Trust was recently given £5,000 from lottery coffers and other grants totalling more than £9,000. However a similar amount is still needed to reach a target of £23,000.

Liz Palin, deputy warden, said any help would be gratefully accepted. "We would like to hear from people who have expertise and experience of this sort of fundraising.

We will also be approaching local groups and organisations to ask for assistance," she said.

For more information about Holland House and the current appeal contact Mrs Palin on 01386 86033 or log on to www.hollandhouse.org.