PLAYTIME went back to basics in Great Yarmouth this week as hundreds of children enjoyed free activities as part of a national event. St Nicholas' recreation ground on South Beach Parade was transformed into a play haven for little ones who made dens out of cardboard and dressed up as book characters, making stories come to life.

PLAYTIME went back to basics in Great Yarmouth this week as hundreds of children enjoyed free activities as part of a national event.

St Nicholas' recreation ground on South Beach Parade was transformed into a play haven for little ones who made dens out of cardboard and dressed up as book characters, making stories come to life.

With not a Nintendo DS in sight youngsters got the chance to give their imagination free rein in the junk model area and learn

about wildlife with mini-beast activities.

The theme of this year's Playday event was Make Time, and hundreds of people did just that on Wednesday to attend the event - the first of its kind in Yarmouth organised by the borough council.

Every hour throughout the day children got to make stories come to life as part of an interactive storytelling activity by staff from woodland and treetop adventure play park Bewilderwood.

Youngsters dressed up in costumes and made wizardry potions with paint as they re-enacted stories to parents and carers.

The borough council's play development worker Adrian Barnes said he was pleased with the number of people who attended the free event, which was supported by local businesses and organisations.

And he hoped Playday would become an annual event in Yarmouth.

He said: “This event gives children the chance to make their own choices in play. Even with a Nintendo DS you are following instructions so this provides them with the opportunity to use their imaginations and to do their own thing.

“For the health side of it, looking at the obesity agenda, children are active when they are playing without knowing they are exercising.”

Ormesby childminder Jenny Ewing had children aged from one to 12 in her care on Wednesday and said the event was “wonderful” for all of them.

“Play is so important for children. It helps them use their imaginations and team building skills,” she said.