Toddler Damian Clough has been given his freedom to play - thanks to kind-hearted people.

The three-year-old is autistic and therefore has no concept of what causes pain. That means he can easily hurt himself on objects around the house. But now he has had his bedroom converted into a colourful padded play area after a huge fundraising drive.

In addition, Bradford council has promised Damian's parents David and Julie that all other work to give the family a new lease of life will be completed by Christmas.

Before the conversion, Damian's bedroom was a potential minefield, with the youngster almost hanging himself accidentally on his cot on one frightening occasion. That led David and Julie to strip his room of all furniture apart from a mattress which was left on the floor.

As the campaign was launched to fit out the bedroom, the family pressed the council's social services department for urgent work.

Yesterday Bradford council told the Keighley News: "This is a very complicated case involving extensive adaptations to Damian's room and the rest of their home. Delays have been caused by concerns about how the work could be funded and by the extent of the adaptations which need to be made, including having a specially designed alarm for a downstairs door.

"In the meantime, Mr Clough has asked if a double-glazed window with toughened glass can be fitted in Damian's room. We have promised to do this as soon as possible."

Mr Clough says: "We have been waiting to do this for such a long time. It will make a huge difference for all of us because we know that Damian will be safe when he plays in his room.

"Damian still doesn't have any speech and very little eye contact. Now that he is three he's starting to understand things more but he can't communicate them so he's getting more aggressive.

"He loves going to Braithwaite Special School and it is helping him a great deal, but we still think there needs to be a special place for autistic children in Keighley."

The family say they owe a debt of thanks to family friend Graham Powney, who is managing director of Garforth-based Solutions, the company responsible for the conversion. Mr Clough says: "The total cost of the conversion is £2,600 and so far we have managed to raise £1,800.

"Graham is a friend of the family. He said that because of Damian's needs and because it was coming up to winter he was happy to do the work now and have the balance later."

Mr Powney adds: "The best part is when you see the project finished and the joy it can bring."

The family have also expressed their thanks to local fundraisers including Tony Sunter, who acted as the fund's first trustee, staff at Wask RMF and Laycock First School. They are also keen to stress that fundraising towards the cost of the room will continue until the final amount is raised.

"Some of the alterations which we are having to make include: fire doors for the living room and the stairs, removing the plug socket and light switch from Damian's bedroom, fitting a stable door in the kitchen with an observer panel made of toughened glass and special fencing for the back of the house.

"All the proposed adaptations have to be approved by the fire service before they can go-ahead."

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