CROWDS of children and their parents enjoyed a magical time at Newport Centre.

A fairytale fun day for the half-term holiday was organised by the city's Sure Start organisation.

Programme manager Catherine Richards said they had invited all their groups from across Newport and those they visited at home.

They had a brilliant response with an estimated 300 families turning up for the afternoon event.

Among the activities on offer were pixie play dough modelling, rhyme time and a fishing game.

Other organisations were also on hand such as the library service, who held story sessions, and the Play Group Association.

Staff dressed up in fairy tale costumes, as did some of the visiting children, to add even more sparkle to the occasion.

The event was also used to relaunch two important projects which help mums and dads, the Newport Family Information Service (FIS) and the Genesis Project.

FIS, formerly Newport Children's Information Service, gives details about a range of services including health, education and leisure to parents and carers with children from birth to 19.

It can be contacted on 0800 38 8483 or visited in Room 202w, Civic Centre, Newport or on the website www.newport.gov.uk/childcare or email childrens.informationservice@newport.gov.

The Genesis Project is designed to help parents overcome many of the barriers they face when wanting to learn new skills or return to work.

Sure Start was established in Newport in 2000 and aims to give children the best possible start in life. It runs a number of projects including parenting classes, mothers and toddlers and activities for children.