A CLOSURE-threatened support group for adults with learning disabilities has been given a stay of execution.

Tynedale Horticultural Service (THS) has been based at Haydon Bridge High School’s Ridley Hall boarding wing since 1994.

But boarding at Ridley Hall was suspended in March following a dispute between Northumberland County Council and Bright Tribe, the multi-academy trust set to take over as the school’s sponsor this summer.

The school has now ended its long-term association with Ridley Hall, which has been put up for sale by its owners, the Evans family.

The demise of boarding at Ridley Hall led to uncertainty for user groups based at the facility, including THS. The group, which is run by the county council, has 15 service users, who used their gardening skills to maintain Ridley Hall’s expansive grounds.

This week, the local authority said an agreement had been made for THS to remain at Ridley Hall until September.

Rather than axing the group, which has benefitted dozens of people in its 23-year history, a county council spokeswoman said a new location was being sought.

She added: “The council has taken steps to ensure that the horticultural skills service at Ridley Hall can continue to operate there in the short term.

“We expect the service to remain there until September. We are in discussion about potential options for a new location for the service after that, and we are confident that we will be able to make satisfactory arrangements.”

The news comes just a week after the Courant reported that another group based at Ridley Hall faces an uncertain future.

However, it was hoped that the Interact Club – a junior offshoot of Rotary International – would remain active within Haydon Bridge High School.

Over the past decade the group’s members – all boarding students – have raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes.