There were ice creams, donkey rides and the weather was a scorcher for "a day at the seaside" - at Harwell Recreation Ground.

Nearly 50 toddlers and their parents tried to take in all the joys of the seaside without the bother of a long, hot journey.

George Sheppard, threeMother-of-two Jacqueline Waters, secretary of Harwell Fun Club, which organised the day, said: "We tried to think of everything that families would expect from a day trip to the seaside, without the need to travel there."

The Fun Club which usually meets every Tuesday at the village hall also hosted youngsters and their parents from other toddler groups in Steventon, Chilton, East Hagbourne and Blewbury.

There was no sea, so families picnicked on the grass instead of the beach.

But thanks to the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, Brightwell cum Sotwell, near Wallingford, two donkeys were giving rides for the children, there were sandpits and Uncle Wiggy was the children's entertainer.

**Picture: Antony Moore