Where there’s mess there’s fun

CHILDREN messing about in slimy play stuff, piles of shredded paper and and play mud is a every parent’s nightmare...

But for Beau Todd-Nicholls seeing dozen of youngsters romping around and making as much mess as they can create is a dream come true.

The one-time sales girl has invested more than £8,000 — plus hours of her own time and that of her husband who has helped transform the former pramshop in Rochdale Road, Royton, into Messy Rascals.

Beau, (34), from Chadderton, has previously worked with children in nurseries in the borough but she insists her new venture is not a nursery adding: “This is a play zone which children up to the age of 10 can do things they can’t do at home — they can make as much mess as they like.

“They can build dens from cardboard boxes, romp in piles of shredded paper, play slime and with mud and play-doh. I love interacting with the children while they are doing all these things and the children obviously have a great time.”

Messy Rascals has been open only a few weeks but is already attracting repeat business and is finding a niche for parties.

She added: “I have spent hours taking leaflets to homes in the area and to nurseries and schools, but obviously it takes time to become established and for people to know what we do here.

“The children do get messy, but they all wear large t-shirts to cover their clothes. There is only one stipulation really — the parents have to stay while the children play because we aren’t a nursery.”