THE Bobath Scotland charity has recorded a surplus for the first time this decade after continuing to focus on adopting a more business-like approach to trading performance.

Chief executive Stephanie Fraser said it has also managed to grow its voluntary income from £512,000 to £544,000 in the 12 months to March 31 this year.

Bobath, which has its headquarters in Glasgow, works to improve the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy.

Along with the growth in voluntary income it has offered more training courses and given families the option to contribute to therapy.

Ms Fraser, who joined in January 2012, said: "We have looked at ways in which we can design services that families want to use and therefore strengthen the case for funders to support, for example offering summer holiday groups for teenagers with cerebral palsy.

"This has gone hand in hand with keeping a firm hand on controlling the costs of the organisation."

Ms Fraser, who formerly held commercial development roles at English National Ballet and Scottish Ballet, said draft accounts for the financial year are showing a surplus of £49,000.

The charity had steadily reduced losses in recent years from £192,000 in 2011/12, £55,000 in 2012/13 and £22,000 in 2013/14.

It is the first surplus the charity has recorded since its 2007/08 financial year.

Ms Fraser said: "By adopting a business focus, our small charity has weathered the tough times through the recession and our strategic planning is paying dividends."

Ms Fraser said the charity has also received £444,710 of funding from BIG Lottery over the next five years.

She said that will help to support 125 children with cerebral palsy aged between two and six as they make the transition from nursery to school.

The Bobath approach, which is named after its German founders, uses a range of physical therapies to improve an individual's mobility, communication and independent living skills.

Services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.