Once a week, the Salvation Army building is filled with the noise of happy children at the parent and toddler group.

WALKING through the doors of the Felixstowe Salvation Army’s building, for their weekly parent and toddler group, the first thing you notice is the sound of children having the time of their lives.

There is always something to entertain them and different programmes running to keep them occupied, whether it is craft exercises, playing with toys, or even the occasional sing song.

The group has been running at the organisation’s home in Cobbold Road for more than 10 years.

Today it is still as popular as ever when it runs on a Monday morning during school term time.

“I love seeing the pleasure and seeing the kids enjoying themselves,” said Sue Harrold, who runs the group.

“Some of the little ones help us to put things away and some of them get upset at the end because they want to carry on playing.

“We have good fun with the parents as well – it is enjoyable."

As well as the crafts and play time, the captain of the Felixstowe Salvation Army, Richard Waters, is on hand most weeks to sing to the group – something Mrs Harrold admitted the children love.

And one of the more recent projects the youngsters have been tasked with has been making decorations for the Salvation Army’s Christmas tree.

But while the aim of the group is predominantly to entertain the children – their parents also get a lot out of it.

As well as mums, there are now dads, granddads and grandmothers, who will turn up each week and stay with their children at the group.

Mrs Harrold added: “It’s a chance to meet other people and people that you may not normally meet.”

Next Monday the children will continue making decorations in the run-up to the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas tree festival.

But Mrs Harrold was quick to mention it is not just her who is keeping the group running – as she paid tribute to her team.

She said: “It really is a team effort and without the rest of the team on the desk and the people that do drinks, it really would be hard work.

“It is not just me here, it is a team.”

? For more information about the group, please call 01394 284610 or, alternatively, you can visit their website at www.felixsa.org.uk

? The charity Christmas tree festival at the Salvation Army which is due to take place from December 4 to December 8.

Last year’s festival at the church was highly successful, bringing together more than 30 organisations to displayed trees and raise money for their nominated charity.