A Baildon charity which makes fashionable clothes for disabled people is to open its doors to the public as part of a survival campaign.

Fashion Services for the Disabled, whose work was praised by Diana, Princess of Wales when she visited it 11 years ago, may only be able to struggle on until the end of the year following a decision by Bradford Council to withdraw its £35,000 grant this year.

This may mean that hundreds of disabled people throughout the district may have to go back to wearing ill-fitting, unfashionable clothes if the group, which produces made-to-measure clothing, is forced to close.

The charity has applied to other bodies - including the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund - for funds but is also hoping that an open day on Thursday, September 24 will convince the public to help with funds to secure the continuation of its pioneering work.

Rosemary Francis, administrative assistant at the charity, said: "We're hoping the open day will make people more aware of what a valuable service Fashion Services provides and what a tragedy it would be if it closed.''

During the open day, the charity's new state-of-the-art computer design equipment will be unveiled for the first time, showing how technology will ease pattern production.

Part of a £300,000 National Lottery-funded project, the new process will allow people's measurements to be fed directly into a computer, reducing pattern cutting time and leading to a more personalised fit. A newly refurbished workroom will also be officially opened, including working and cutting out tables.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.