Deaf children throughout Bradford are among the thousands who benefit from a specialist toy library which is fighting closure.

The Elizabeth Foundation regularly borrows from Bradford Toy Library to help their children develop. The Telegraph & Argus Save Our Play appeal is aiming to raise £12,000 to keep the library going for 12 months.

Without the money, the registered charity based at St Luke's Hospital could close in March. The cash is needed for new toys - which can cost more than £100 each - and the two co-ordinators who run the facility. The pair are also in charge of organising the Laura Jackson Book Library, which is thought to be the largest collection of special-needs books outside London and is extremely important for parents.

Margaret Southern, centre manager of the Elizabeth Foundation in Smith Lane, said she did not know what they would do without the toy library. "It would be horrible because we would be using the same toys over and over again," she said.

The foundation is a charity offering a pre-school for deaf children and their families, as well as a programme for babies. Mrs Southern said they worked with about 30 families a week who used the toys to develop interaction between them and their children.

The foundation also teaches parents how to get the best out of toys.

"We are based at Bradford Royal Infirmary in a very small cottage," Mrs Southern said.

"We have got very limited storage so it's good to borrow toys for a short time."

She said that toys which encouraged children to take turns were especially useful, as well as those which developed communication skills.

Mrs Southern said the library meant they could access toys too expensive to buy. "We rely totally on grants and charity donations ourselves," she said.

She urged everyone to back the Save Our Play appeal. "I cannot believe it's in such trouble - it's a vital resource for Bradford," she said.