BUGGIES GIVE FAMILIES A BREAK.

Basking in the sunshine toddler Makenzy Learmouth relaxes in a buggy while dad Andrew does all the work.

The buggy is owned by the Baby Equipment Loans Service (BELs) at the Howdon Toy Library, in Wallsend, which loans them out to parents.

The scheme has proved so popular the charity had to turn parents away as there was not enough equipment to go round. But thanks to a pounds 1,700 donation from the Yorkshire Building Society, more mums and dads can now benefit.

The service used the cash to buy in 20 more buggies ( the first 10 of which were delivered yesterday.

Louise Neill, of the Yorkshire Building Society's Charitable Foundation, said: "Our donation will ensure 20 families can enjoy a simple thing like a walk to the shops and will mean fresh air and a break for both children and their parents or carers."

BELs has been operating for more than 19 years and loans toys and baby equipment to parents, carers and children in and around Howdon.

Essentials such as cots, mattresses and highchairs are hired out to families on low incomes, refugees and the homeless, with the single baby buggies in high demand.

Deb Rudman, BELs senior project worker, said: "These buggies are essential."