A PLAY space offering children the chance to use their imagination by dressing up and role playing is celebrating its first year in business.

Little Play Town launched in Odiham High Street this time last year, allowing children to pretend to work in different professions from vets to hairdressers.

The idea of opening a role play space to serve the surrounding community was the brainchild of husband and wife team Clinton and Virna Browne, from Hartley Wintney, who moved to the town in 2016, from Wimbledon, with their daughter and son.

The couple realised there was a gap in the market in the area and knew how much their own children loved role play, which inspired them to come up with the idea.

Clinton said their first year has been a success, adding: “We are very much loved throughout the community and have a strong backing which is great. We have people coming from all over including Winchester and South Hampshire, up to 60km away.”

To celebrate Little Play Town's first anniversary, the couple had a birthday cake to share with staff.

Clinton said he believes that it is the upmarket nature of the centre which brings people back, explaining: “It’s the whole experience. We have the best possible coffee available with 100 per cent Arabica and it’s always fresh and crisp and delicious. The place is spotless, people like to come because it’s a play centre that suits the surrounding area. I have been to so many play centres and come away feeling sticky and needing a shower. We wanted to create something different and I think we have succeeded.”

Clinton and Virna, who previously worked as a nurse, have already refreshed many of the toys.

“We want to keep them feeling new,” explained Clinton, adding: “We have also introduced more equipment since last year we have got a fire engine and we have got some additional padding for parents to sit on.”

The play space is gender free, allowing boys and girls to dress up in whatever they choose, including as a firefighter and construction worker.

The couple believe role play is a key component of a child’s learning and development, used to reflect on and develop their knowledge of how to deal with and interact with life situations.

Some of the benefits include developing communication and language skills; allowing children to explore, investigate and experiment; and developing social skills as children collaborate with others.

Clinton said he and his wife have enjoyed the first year, adding: “The parents have been wonderful, and the kids are just amazing. There has been a lot of joy, and the staff take a great deal of job in their work, it’s a nice environment to be in.”

For more information and to book a play session or party for children aged seven and under, go to littleplaytown.co.uk.