Barrow's Park leisure centre echoed with laughter as clowns, conjurors and puppets brought a touch of magic to their young audience in February 1993.

Parents were allowed a breather during the school holidays with daily events and games laid on for youngsters.

Gales of laughter filled the sports hall as Julio the Clown took his turn performing magic tricks before a spellbound audience.

One trick saw him convincing the children that a ball in a bag he was holding had bounced off the end wall of the sports hall - and amazingly returned to the bag.

Other events during a week of activities include sport, magicians and, of course, Punch and Judy.

Among the smiling faces on the day The Mail attended to take photographs were Natalie Couling, aged six; Kimberley Murray, eight; Paul Goodwin, five; Lauren Glew, five; Liam Glew, three; Ben Rollinson, four; Carl Walker, seven; David Finlayson, four and Darren Ashleigh Hartle, aged six.

They were among dozens of youngsters of varying ages who enjoyed the events throughout the week - while mum and dad had a bit of a break.

In August 1993 children at the leisure centre had been putting some bounce into the long school holidays by trying out trampolining.

A five-day course for eight to 14-year-olds gave a real lift to the 14 children who took part.

Kevin Scanlan, from Dalton's Dowdales School, had already tried out canoeing, climbing and table tennis courses at the leisure centre and was loving his latest hobby.

Jenna Strickland, eight, liked frog jumps best while John Kay, a member of the Barrow Beavers swimming club, said the course was brilliant and he would like to return next year.

Instruction was provided by Rosemarie Steinheuer.

Other youngsters had the opportunity to polish up their trampolining skills at the children's club held three nights a week during term time and at a course run by the leisure centre every Friday night.