A DISABLED businessman wants to set up a "world first" in Newport - a £5 million business, conference and therapy centre specially designed for people with disabilities.

Trevor Palmer, 51, says his accessible resource centre would be invaluable for disabled people.

Plans include ten business units, three conference halls, a restaurant and facilities for hydrotherapy. Mr Palmer said "many of the staff" employed there would be disabled.

He said the facilities would eliminate the barriers many disabled people face in trying to set up businesses, for example.

He said: "A lot of people want to run businesses but they don't because of the lack of accessible units.

"The improvements to my office in Enterprise Way, Newport cost £12,500 - simply to allow me to use my wheelchair. How many people can afford that?"

The Newport-based entrepreneur, who has multiple sclerosis and has been in a wheelchair for four years, runs GLCC, selling accessories for disabled people.

Mr Palmer is already in talks with various firms, some of which have expressed interest in investing in the project, including one which is considering building a hotel on the site.

But despite the challenges he faces in getting the project off the ground, Mr Palmer remains convinced that not only will the resource centre will be a winner, it will be the first of many similar projects around the world.

"The accessible resource centre concept will be franchised worldwide," he said.

A three-acre site in the Newport area is currently being sought, while a competition for Welsh designers and architects to design the centre will be launched shortly.

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler is giving the scheme her full support. "A lot of people talk about wanting to include disabled people in society," she said. "But Trevor is actually doing something about it. "This would be very good news for the city to have such a centre."

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said: "It's a bold and ambitious scheme that deserves support. Trevor is a strong personality and if anyone can make it work, he can."

Call 01633 216644 or 216160, or email accessresource@hotmail.co.uk for details.