FREE fun and frolics are in store for children all next week.Under 16s from Suffolk are invited to the Felixstowe Children's Festival to enjoy a week of puppet, mask and sun-catcher making and the chance to beat a friend on the inflatable bungee run.

FREE fun and frolics are in store for children all next week.

Under 16s from Suffolk are invited to the Felixstowe Children's Festival to enjoy a week of puppet, mask and sun-catcher making and the chance to beat a friend on the inflatable bungee run.

And the Suffolk Coastal council organisers of the event, which is part-sponsored by the Evening Star, are expecting this year to be the big one and expect around 3,000 children to visit the resort.

The annual festival, which is also sponsored by Pier Amusements, Regal Casino, Fantasy Golf and Felixstowe's three county councillors, David Rowe, Margaret Harris and Don Smith, will be kicked off on Monday with an inflatable assault course challenge in Langer Park.

Michelle Barr, resort services co-ordinator, said that the inflatable assault course will be bigger and better this year. She said that last year's 40ft long course would hopefully have been extended so that there are more walls and mazes to fight through.

And to finish the week on Sunday August 25, inflatable table football and an inflatable bungee run in Langer Park will leave competitive and fun-seeking children exhausted.

Organisers are not only expecting hundreds of children to turn up from Felixstowe, but also from town's further away including Ipswich and Woodbridge.

"We got 2,500 children last year, with the weather being as it is though we are expecting 3,000 this year, said Michelle.

Not only is it a chance for children to have fun in the sun for completely free, but parents will also be given a chance to shop or sun bathe on the beaches while the organisers look after their children, as long as they are over eight.

Monday August 19:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

12pm – 4pm Face painting in Langer Park.

Tuesday August 20:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

11am – 4pm Sun-catcher workshop in Felixstowe leisure centre.

Wednesday August 21:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

12pm – 5pm Puppet workshop in Felixstowe leisure centre.

2pm – 4.30pm Landguard Nature Reserve activity day at Education centre (£3 charge)

Thursday August 22:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

10am – 5pm Volleyball in Sea Road Gardens.

10am – 2pm Jubilee arts workshop in Sea Road Gardens.

Friday August 23:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

10am – 5pm Volleyball in Sea Road Gardens.

12pm – 5pm Mask workshop in Felixstowe leisure centre.

2pm – 3pm Children's storyteller on beach by the pier.

Saturday August 24:

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

10am – 5pm Inflatable bungee run in Langer Park.

10am - 5pm Carnival arts and crafts workshops in Felixstowe leisure centre.

Sunday August 25:

10am – 4pm Bouncy castle at Langer Park.

12am – 4pm Face painting inLanger Park.

10am – 5pm Inflatable assault course in Langer Park.

10am – 5pm Inflatable bungee run in Langer Park.

(Programme is subject to change or cancellation weather permitting)