Hundreds of children turned out for Peter Pan-themed fun yesterday as a Shefford children’s centre marked the UK’s 30th annual Playday.

The Comet: Shefford Play Day: Sid and Ted Rainbow, ages four and three, enjoy making pasta. Picture: Karyn HaddonShefford Play Day: Sid and Ted Rainbow, ages four and three, enjoy making pasta. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

The free event – held in Clifton by the Shefford and District Children’s Centre – featured a Neverland created out of recycled materials, as well as performers dressed as Tinkerbell and Captain Hook.

There was mud play and fire-making at a mock Native American camp, as well as crafts in a pirate cove and a pixie hollow.

Those enjoying the fun included Sarah Shanley, manager of Woodlands Pre-School in Clifton.

She said: “This was a fantastic event for the whole community – and being free, it was accessible to everyone locally.

“Many thanks to Kirsty Maxwell’s team at the children’s centre for the time and effort involved for making it a huge success.”

A grateful parent added: “I’d like to thank the team for arranging this. There was so much to see and do – we all had a great time.”

Playday was invented in 1987 in response to planned cuts to children’s play services in London, and became a national event in 1991.

To find out more, see shefforddistrictcc.org.uk and playday.org.uk.