PEOPLE of all ages joined the celebrations with traditional games and food when The Hub Soft Play Centre, in Alcombe, held its fifth birthday party.

The Hub, next to the fire station in Hopcott Road, was a new venture when it opened in May 2013, and a change of use for what had been the Alcombe Evangelical Church.

It was set up by Minehead Baptist Church as a community outreach ministry to provide a soft play venue and a range of other activities and facilities for families and the local community.

During the past five years, hundreds of families have visited The Hub and children from babies to nine or ten years old have had lots of soft play fun, either during public sessions or at a birthday party.

Minehead Baptist Church is fundraising to be able to purchase The Hub premises, which are currently rented, for the long term benefit of the local community. The birthday party was just one of a number of events and activities taking place.

All 85 people attending the fundraising birthday party were asked to bring a coin for each year of their age and altogether £1,043 was raised.

In addition to the soft play, The Hub also runs a weekly Parent and Toddlers Group, The Bridge Employment Hub, monthly support groups for families with twins and families with children with additional needs.

The hall and small link room are also available for hire and is used by organisations such as the Music Bus, Mums Markets, meetings, conferences and training events and as a rehearsal space for local drama groups.