YOUNGSTERS pulled on their woolly hats and gloves to enjoy a day exploring the great outdoors at the Belfairs Woodland Centre.

The children, who were all aged under five, visited the centre to have a go at arts and crafts and have a look around the site for a bonfire-themed activity session.

There was music and story time and plenty of time spent outside during the event.

Alison Askwith, assistant centre manager of the centre, which is based in Eastwood Road North, in Leigh, said: “The Squirrel Squad is an event we hold every week for pre-school children.

“Its aim is to educate them about the woodlands through going outside and through crafts.

“We theme every session differently, so the recent session was on bonfires. We’ve also had sessions on leaves and on worms.

“They are really good events - I think sometimes the people who run the sessions enjoy it as much as the children.

“We get lots of parents bringing their children and also lots of grandparents with their grandchildren too.

“Children want to be outside in the fresh air and we hope that, if we educate them at a young age they will stay interested until they are grandparents bringing their own grandchildren down.”

For more information on the club, visit southend.gov.uk.