A BAND of pirates under the age of five, were let loose in Tavistock's Meadows for this year's Tavistock Area Children's Centre's Big Toddle.

MP for West Devon and Torridge Geoffrey Cox started off the pirate-themed race by cutting the start-line ribbon with a pirate sword, setting loose the swarm of toddlers and their families to race around the park.

More than 100 completed the course, raising money for Barnardos and the Tavistock Area Children's Centre, many wearing colourful costumes, including eye patches, cutlasses, bandanas and parrots.

Families from the centre's Boobie Babies group turned two buggies into pirate ships, and the staff joined in with the fancy dress and pre-toddle warm-up exercises.

Mr Cox said: 'It was lovely to attend the race, it's a great way of raising money for Barnardos and boosting the profile of this valued children's centre.

'I understand there are more than 700 families who are members, demonstrating what an important role they play in the local area.'

Big Toddle events were also run in Bere Alston and Woolwell.

A Tavistock Area Children's Centre gazebo will be in The Meadows, near the bandstand, today (Thursday), between 10am and noon, with an array of arts, crafts, messy play, singing and all sorts of activities for under five's to have go at.

Staff will be giving out information about the summer programme of free events and the trips for its members to Paignton Zoo and the Miniature Pony Centre, as well as a free prize draw and goody bags for new members.

For more information please contact the centre office on 01822 614210.