AS father to three children, all with learning disabilities, Tony Thorne knew all too well how much a music night aimed specially at those with disabilities would be valued.

He set up CDS, held every Tuesday night at the Haystack, on Canvey , which has been growing in popularity since it launched. His theory about the benefits it brings youngsters with disabilities – both physical and mental – seems to have been proved right.

He’s watched their confidence grow as they’ve enjoyed the social nights, and recently the pub has seen the launch of live music nights, held on the last Tuesday of the month, which has been hugely successful, too.

“It is very, very beneficial,” says Tony. “If anyone comes down they see how some of our clients have grown. Some of their parents have said, ‘crikey, they’re getting so much more independent.’ “Where they came in the first time and wouldn’t leave mum and dad, they now go and order their own cola at the bar – it’s amazing really.”

The live music gives them the chance to take to the stage if they fancy, or just have a dance.

The idea first came about when a friend of Tony’s volunteered to do a gig at a dementia care home, and noticed how much the residents enjoyed it.

“A friend of mine has been singing in Spain for about eight years,” Tony explains. “I’ve got another friend who owns some retirement homes for the elderly and the two of them got together and he said ‘I’ll come down and do a show for them.’ “It all went from there. The home he went to was for dementia sufferers, and the residents were suddenly all so bubbly. My other friend was saying, ‘they don’t normally do this.’”

Tony understands more than most the benefits of a well-organised, fun night as respite. All three of his children have learning difficulties and are cared for by him and his wife Ann, along with the support of numerous charities and organisations.

David, 30, suffered a lung infection when he was two years old and after a spell on a life support machine, lost a lot of his mental capability, while Ryan, 28, was starved of oxygen at birth.

Kimberley, 26, was hit on the head when she was three years old at nursery and sustained cranial damage which has meant she suffers with learning disabilities.

Tony says: “Kimberley was about three years old when she was at play school. It wasn’t anybody being vicious, it was just one of those accidents.

“We know that children play rough sometimes and have accidents, but it hit the softest part of her brain. The other parents were just as distraught.

“We’ve got a good family, a big family, and we’ve all learnt to keep together.”

Tony says he loves seeing the success of the nights and the freedom they give disabled youngsters.

“Some of them have never seen a live show,” he says. “We just wanted to put on a night where the whole family could come that was cheap.

“We only charge the client – it’s only £3 – and they all get a prize. The rest of the family go free.

CDS takes place at the Haystack, Furtherwick Road, Canvey, every Tuesday, with live bands on the last Tuesday of the month. It runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.