A BASILDON play centre is looking to mark its reopening next month extra special by inviting children and families across the region who have struggled through lockdown to enjoy its facilities for free.

360 Play is at the Festival Leisure Park and after months of closure because of Covid-19 safeguarding it is hoping to reopen on Monday, 17 May.

To mark that event the owner of the overarching company, Duncan Phillips, has pledged more than £60,000 worth of tickets for children and families for 360 Play centres across the country in the 360 Play Young Minds campaign.

And their distribution in the Basildon region is being co-ordinated by local centre manager James Hack, who is calling on local businesses in the area to help him promote the campaign.

James says: "Our communities who have been isolated throughout the pandemic, those who have lost jobs, those who have been sick or those who have struggled to cope and need a helping hand back to normality. We want to help them.

"We will be posting on our social media pages and website over the next few weeks to let everyone know how they can be a part of this and nominate families and children who've had a tough time during lockdown."

You can follow the campaign, and learn how to nominate a deserving family for free tickets by visiting 360's website via this link.

The play centre chain was created by Mr Phillips, who also developed Gulliver's Theme Park group with parks in Milton Keynes, Warrington, and Matlock, as he wanted to create something new for families looking for a day out with their children where the whole family could enjoy a day out all year round and which would help with children's general health and development.

Within the centres there is focus on Physical Play – with play areas designed to enhance and develop children's motor and cognitive skills; Role Play, which promotes imagination, independence and creativity; Outdoor Play where families can relax while the children try new challenges and Skills Play where children increase their self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect. And there are also Creative Play areas which include singing, dancing and musical play.

You can learn more about Basildon's centre via its website here.