A LARGE gathering of families flocked to a Bromsgrove children’s centre for a balloon release to mark its official opening.

Parents and carers of children under the age of five attended the opening of the Pear Tree Children’s Centre in Broad Street.

The Barnardo’s charity organised the event and to mark the occasion children dressed as their favourite storybook characters and celebrated a balloon release in the garden with Barty Bunny. Barnardo’s spokesman Jackie Woodward said: “We had a great turnout and such a lot of children came in costume.”

The youngsters were asked to draw or write a wish for the future and attach the tags to the balloons. The children’s centre is a one stop shop for a wide range of important services including parenting workshops, play and stay sessions, children’s health clinics and individual family support. For further information call the centre on 01527 735775.