THE new OCRA sports pavilion, designed to unite the people of Okehampton through sport and activity, certainly did that on Sunday with the launch of a new event for children and young people with special needs.

Special Needs Activities in the Park — or SNAP — gives children and young people with special needs the chance to have fun, socialise, develop new skills and make new friends.

Youngsters had the chance to try lots of different activities, including fencing, dance, singing, tennis, boccia, multisports, morris dancing, the Energia samba band and more.

The event has been developed by OCRA and local parents, and has been supported by Puzzle Tree, Okehampton Children's Centre, Parklands Leisure Centre, Okehampton Tennis Club, North Tamar Fencing Club and Active Devon. Funding has come from DAISI Soundwaves Music project and the Community Games, a legacy project celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Stuart Lord, OCRA manager, said: 'It was a lovely day; it went really fantastic. The Energia samba band were great and the Winkleigh morris men got lots of the young people dancing with them, and to see the elation on their faces was wonderful.

'We are looking at running regular events like this, possible even weekly. Anyone who would like to get involved should get in touch.'

If you would like more information on how to get involved in future events, email [email protected]">[email protected] or call Shirley and Mike on 01837 65990, or call OCRA on 01837 54546.

Picture by James Bird