A care service has notched up a decade of looking after children in Maldon.

Talking Tots held its ten-year birthday celebration with parents and children at Creepy Crawlies Soft Play Centre in Hamberts Road, South Woodham Ferrers, one of the first venues the group ever met at.

The party was attended by more than 50-children aged from just 15 months all the way to 11 years old.

Mums, dads and grandparents were all in attendance at the event where they enjoyed tea, coffee and cake while the little ones let off some steam in the soft play area.

Amanda Smith bought the franchise for Talking Tots in Maldon and Chelmsford in December 2008.

Since then she has taken the group across both areas, South Woodham Ferrers and Boreham.

Amanda said she was very proud of the work she has done over the last decade.

She said: “Talking Tots classes help children to develop important social and communication skills, including listening, attention and sharing and turn-taking.

“Our activities are all age appropriate to all ages and alongside the social and communication skills we introduce early literacy activities, building up to vital skills to help children when they eventually start school.

“I have been privileged to work with children from birth, when they attend with older siblings, right through until they start school, sometimes when they are nearly five years old.”