By Richard CornwellTHERE is no excuse for youngsters being bored by the sea this week with a variety of activities for all ages every day.The Felixstowe Children's Festival is underway and organisers have been delighted that so many are already throwing themselves in the events, leaving mums and dads to bask in the sunshine on the beach or shop till they drop.

By Richard Cornwell

THERE is no excuse for youngsters being bored by the sea this week with a variety of activities for all ages every day.

The Felixstowe Children's Festival is underway and organisers have been delighted that so many are already throwing themselves in the events, leaving mums and dads to bask in the sunshine on the beach or shop till they drop.

The inflatable assault course – which is based in Langer Park until Friday tea-time – proved an instant hit and was busy all day.

Meanwhile, the mosaic of the resort's five-mile coastline was starting to take shape under the guidance of artist Rosemary Humphries.

Elsewhere, children have been taking part in sports, daily Treasure Hunts, mask making and dance workshops.

The seven-day event is organised by Suffolk Coastal council and sponsored by The Evening Star, amusements owner Stan Threadwell, Pier Bingo, Creative Tiling Solutions, First Eastern Counties, and councillor Cherrie MacGregor.

Council chairman Doreen Savage said: "While the emphasis is on fun, it is also a great chance for children to pick up some artistic skills, fine-tune their sporting prowess, or learn more about local natural treasures.

"The children are guaranteed to find something fun and interesting to do, while many of the parents can go off and enjoy some of the other many delights that Felixstowe has to offer."

The festival is for kids aged five to 16 – and all of it is free!

Tomorrow's activities include a storyteller, beach safety display with HM Coastguard, drama workshops, and more work on the mosaic.

Other activities during the week include dance workshops, mask making, storytelling, drama workshops, tennis, trampolining, nature trail, circus skills, a sports day, balloon modelling, puppet-making, and historical re-enactments.

Thanks to First Eastern Counties, there is a free shuttle bus between Great Eastern Square, Landguard Fort, and the Seafront on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm to ferry people to and from the activities.

Full details of the programme, which runs until Sunday, is available from the Tourist Information Centre at Felixstowe Leisure Centre.

n WEBLINKS: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

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