Children were spellbound by magic tricks at a Christmas party on Monday.

Nearly 100 children aged two to five turned out with their parents for Packington Children’s Centre’s festive bonanza in Popham Road, where families could visit Santa’s grotto and enjoy magic tricks and a disco run by children’s entertainer and magician, Mr Marvel.

Louise Keane, deputy head of the Islington centre, said: ““It went really well, we had quite a lot of families attending the party – it brought the community together celebrating Christmas.

“We also had face painting and the kids could decorate Christmas cakes, plus there was lots of food.”