A CLENT special school is launching a £10,000 appeal for a Variety Club Sunshine Coach to enable youngsters to go out and about on trips.

Sunfield School in Woodman Lane, which cares for children with severe and complex learning needs, will be kicking off the appeal with an art exhibition at its Community Theatre on Thursday April 19.

Already trying to raise millions to build new classrooms, staff at the school say the coach is needed to take youngsters out on educational and recreational trips in the community.

Deputy director of fundraising Alicia Wingfield said: "The children at Sunfield all have severe and complex learning needs often with profound autism which means many of them have to have one to one care or in some cases two to one care which means a 17 seat Sunshine Coach is essential if the children and their carers are to experience the community and all it offers."

Running from 6pm to 10pm, the event by ARTcentral will see more than a dozen artists and designers from the Black Country and Worcestershire coming together to exhibit and sell their work. Exhibitors include Stourbridge artist Pascale Bigot, Clent painter Richard Coyle, dress designer Sue Billingham, jewellery designer Jane Dominese, Stourbridge textile artist Ruth Turnbull and visual artist Juliet May among others.

Admission is £3 on the door and includes refreshments.