TWICE as many children this summer took the chance to play at special council-run leisure activities.Suffolk Coastal's travelling roadshow proved a big holiday hit with nearly 1,400 youngsters across the district taking part.

TWICE as many children this summer took the chance to play at special council-run leisure activities.

Suffolk Coastal's travelling roadshow proved a big holiday hit with nearly 1,400 youngsters across the district taking part.

Leisure Link, the council's mobile team, toured towns and villages to provide a mix of supervised sport, play and other recreation – including rounders, basketball, kwik cricket, and football for children aged between seven and 13.

Children aged five and over enjoyed the Doorstep Scheme with activities on greens in Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Leiston, Saxmundham and Rendlesham.

Last year's total was doubled as nearly 900 took part in crafts, sports, games and stories.

"We are extremely pleased with the big increase in the number of children attending the activities provided by our Leisure Link and I am sure that the children and their parents would join me in thanking the staff involved for their enthusiastic efforts," said Maggy Wilson, cabinet member for culture and leisure.

A new activity this year saw a temporary climbing wall located on Felixstowe seafront which attracted 240 young and not so young over the two days to tackle the 26 foot high challenge.