SCHOOLCHILDREN found themselves in the middle of merrymaking at the opening of a new Children's Centre called the Trinity Centre in Martham.Amid bouncy castle leaping little ones choristers from the newly remodelled Martham Primary School sang out their songs as mums with buggies mingled with civic dignitaries and officials.

SCHOOLCHILDREN found themselves in the middle of merrymaking at the opening of a new Children's Centre called the Trinity Centre in Martham.

Amid bouncy castle leaping little ones choristers from the newly remodelled Martham Primary School sang out their songs as mums with buggies mingled with civic dignitaries and officials.

And following a delightfully muddled version of the colours of the rainbow former first school head Maggie Bird cut the ribbon at the £750,000 centre - one of 36 planned for Norfolk.

Appropriately for a community hub which puts children first Mrs Bird turned her back on the assembled audience to warmly congratulate the children on their performances, saying: “It is wonderful to be here among so many friends.”

John Dye, Martham Primary head said the seven year journey to completion had been full of “ups and downs” matched by “a tremendous amount of good will.”

Hundreds of families from a swathe of villages including Winterton, Ormesby, Rollesby, Filby, Fleggburgh and Hemsby were sent invitations to last Thursday's opening which featured a bouncy castle, face painting, stalls, craft activities and a real fire engine.

Storyteller Paul Jackson entertained youngsters with his percussive renditions of familiar tales and rhymes while parents were introduced to services at the Martham-based hub and outreach “spokes” in villages running groups in Rainbow Rooms, like the one at Ormesby.

Children's Centre co-ordinator Julie Church said the centre opened in April but not officially until last week. The day nursery opens next week.

Overall the Surestart scheme is ploughing more than £1m into supporting families with young children in the northern parishes with a range of services like baby massage, stopping smoking, breakfast and after school clubs, childminder groups, grandparent and parent support groups, scallywags stay and play, training rooms, links with Job Centre Plus and clinic space for health visitors.

On the day youngsters enjoyed messy play with a variety of craft activities and also the novelty of sitting on a little loo next to mum's normal-sized one in the toilets.

Twins Chloe and Thomas Haworth from Rollesby enjoyed making shiny butterflies while Cohen Underhill from Hemsby scooted around on outdoor toys.