A Fareham charity for children with cerebral palsy has set its sights on moving to bigger premises with - most importantly - no stairs.

The Rainbow Centre has submitted a planning application to Fareham council for a new purpose-built centre to be built on land at Cams Alders next to Fareham Rugby Club's ground.

If planners agree to the scheme next month, the charity will be able to leave its current home above a carpet shop in Quay Street.

The existing first floor hall creates problems for children with mobility problems.

Even with a stairlift, the centre cannot adequately cater for adults because there is no room to store wheelchairs.

If the project gets the green light The Rainbow Centre's founder, Helen Somerset-How, will launch a £1m fundraising campaign to finance the building work.

The state-of-the-art centre will include a play area, hydrotherapy pool and sensory garden.

Staff will not only be able to help children with cerebral palsy but adults with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease and stroke victims too.

Mrs Somerset-How said: "Moving to a bigger centre will help us to expand our services not just for children but for adults.

"Being upstairs at our Quay Street headquarters is a huge disadvantage.

"We also suffer noise and exhaust pollution from the busy Quay Street roundabout."

At present The Rainbow Centre caters for 40 children with cerebral palsy each week.

Staff teach children important life skills as well as physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy.

The charity has continued to grow since Mrs Somerset-How set up the charity 13 years ago in the living room of her home.