Express & Star

Blow-up fun for youngsters in Wolverhampton

Giant inflatables as tall as two double-decker buses have been bringing smiles to the faces of youngsters on their summer holidays.

Published
Georgia Pearce, aged 4, of Penn.

The Jollies Inflatable Fun in the Sun event at Wolverhampton's Bantock Park features a total of 16 inflatables with the biggest of all a 28 ft (8.5m) high Mickey Mouse racing slide.

Other blow-up attractions include a giant assault course, bouncy castles and areas for toddlers to play.

There is also a giant Connect Four, space hoppers, carousel adventure centres and trampolines.

It is the third year the event has been held in the grounds at Bantock House Museum and Park, Finchfield.

Organiser, councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, said this year's event had attracted visitors from far and wide.

He said: "We were asked by the council to do it this year to try and promote the six-week holiday and things to do in Wolverhampton.

"The weather has been a bit of a nightmare since we opened but hopefully with the weather now picking up it should boost our numbers quite a bit.

"The sun came out on Thursday and we were much busier."

Councillor Gwinnett explained that the success of the event has meant there has been interest from outside the city.

He added: "We have been asked by other councils across the midlands and even as far as Yorkshire if we can come and put on a similar thing.

"It is good for the economy. For this event this year we have had people come from as far away as Coventry, Telford, Bridgnorth and Stafford.

"People are coming from all over and it is becoming a regional thing."

The Jollies Inflatable Fun in the Sun event is running between 11am and 5pm each day until August 20.

Councillor Gwinnett said it is hoped the event will extend its run until the bank holiday weekend.

Earlier this year the event was held at East Park and Northwood Park.