CHILDREN had a cracking time back on the skating rink for the venue’s first event of the year.

Dovercourt Skating Rink opened for the first time this season with an Easter family fun day on Saturday.

Youngsters looked high and low for hidden stamps around the rink to compete in the eggcellent challenge and win an Easter egg. There were also bouncy castles and a selection of stalls for shoppers as well as the first skating of the year.

Organiser Chris Scutt, who runs the rink in Lower Marine Parade, said: “It went very well.

“We had lots of children come and enjoy the Easter egg hunt.

“It was great to be open again after the winter and see everyone skating again.

“We also had a fundraising stall for Paws and Mittens, locally donated cakes and a tombola.”

The charity stall raised £56.09 for Paws and Mittens rescue.

The event at the open-air skating rink is the first in a series planned for the year, which raise money towards the costs of keeping the attraction open.

On Sunday, April 22 there will be a Mega Lego fun day run by Brickologists followed by an outdoor cinema screening of The Greatest Showman next month. On Saturday, May 26 there will be a dragons and vikings day including birds of prey falconry, and in June the rink will host the second Essex Comic Con.