'Megga' fun in the sun for Easter

HIGH fives . . . Sophia Ali (three) with dad Joynul Ali meet Chickedy from the Twirlywoos in Parliament Square

THOUSANDS of visitors had a cracking time when they flocked to a fun Easter event in Oldham town centre - the first to be held in the new Parliament Square.

The square, outside the new town hall cinema and restaurant complex, hosted a range of colourful characters on Saturday including the Chickedy and Chick from the CBeebies TV show Twirlywoos.

There was a petting farm with sheep, lambs, geese, rabbits, a calf, chicks and a cockerel. Children could take part in an egg hunt with the Easter bunny, enjoy storytelling sessions in a giant inflatable egg and make Easter bonnets, before taking part in a parade with town centre mascots Ollie and Millie.

Little Bo Peep and her dancing sheep also entertained shoppers along with with a giant rabbit and chicken and colourful gardeners.

Among those who enjoyed the free fun in glorious sunshine were Kelly and Andy Shaw from Lees with their two-year-old daughter Elizabeth.

Kelly said: "We came for the event at Christmas when Elizabeth saw Bing and Flop. She really enjoyed that so we came back especially to see the Twirlywoos. Elizabeth also made an Easter bonnet and rabbit ears and she just loved the petting zoo."

Kelly also gave a thumbs up to the new public square, adding: "The town centre needed something to bring people in."

The fourth annual Spring into Oldham event was organised by Oldham Council and the Town Centre Business Partnership to attract shoppers.

Town centre manager Sara Hewitt said: "A lot of people came along, and the weather certainly helped. The Twirlywoos were very popular and it's great we have got this new public space to use.

"We have got fantastic businesses and restaurants here and a lot of people who attended and also had something to eat."

The next town centre event will be Festival Oldham on the May 29 Spring Bank Holiday.

• More pictures of the event at Parliament Square will be available to view later.