A special needs group supporting people with Down Syndrome is marking its expansion during a week to raise awareness of the condition.

Bradford's Down Syndrome Support Group, which offers support and education to families and professionals, is marking its growth during Down Syndrome Week, which started on Monday and finishes tomorrow.

The group has just received charitable status and is spearheading a range of training projects to fill the gaps as Bradford Council plans to shut 10 special schools.

The support group has opposed the closures, which are set for 2007, replacing the schools with three primary and three secondary schools based on mainstream sites.

Justine Mullins, committee member, said: "We felt it would limit the choices available to parents whose children have Down Syndrome. The provisions needed were not met by the Council."

The group will now offer training at Bradford College for early years teachers, health professionals and education staff in mainstream schools, to help them communicate with Down Syndrome children.

Mrs Mullins said: "Numicon is a visual approach we are using and is how children should be taught. We are hoping to roll this out to schools across the district, teaching parents and children. We hope to provide future training to mainstream schools."

Information packs for parents containing computer software, a Numicon Kit, videos and language cards, will be supplied to Airedale, Halifax and Dewsbury hospitals this year.

The group is raising awareness of Down Syndrome this week at Howes Private Day Nursery, Birkenshaw.

The children are being taught Makaton, an aid communication based on British sign language. There will also be a teddy bears picnic and singing for the pupils.

The group also runs new sessions at Haworth Road Methodist Church Hall teaching signing with Makaton and structured play activities designed to encourage early learning.

Mrs Mullins said: "Down Syndrome children learn through visual aid and repetition. It's about making them aware so they don't loose their concentration."