Bursting with Easter fun and games; Families flock to super spring events.

Byline: MARIE LEVY

FAMILIES had a cracking time at Ormesby Hall this weekend as they embarked on a fun Easter trail.

Excited screams and laughter could be heard throughout the site's six acre garden as children looked for letters

Phil Burton, visitor services administrator, said the event, sponsored by Cadbury's, is always a huge hit but this year's good weather made it even better.

"I spread the clues all around the garden so they get to see bits of it they would never normally wander into.

"It's full of adventure for the kids."

Saltholme wildlife reserve's family fun day also included a fun trail with chocolate eggs as prizes.

Lifelong learning manager Caroline Found said children had enjoyed the I Spy Spring at Saltholme trail: "It's a fantastic time of year to do the trail. Spring is bursting out. The children enjoyed being able to do some crafts and get out and about." And across Teesside, TFM Radio's Cash for Kids charity has been busy distributing thousands of Easter eggs and gifts to sick and deprived children.

Together with team mascot Courage the Cat they visited every children's ward in the area and a number of hospices, including Zoe's Place baby hospice, Normanby, and the Butterwick Children's Hospice, Stockton..

Dawn Carney, manager of Cash for Kids said: "This year, local supermarkets, businesses and our listeners have donated over 2,000 Easter eggs and gifts." And it was not just the youngsters who were enjoying the Easter activities.

Residents at Poplars Care Home in Thornaby got in on the act by holding their own Easter bonnet competition.

Activities co-ordinator Brenda Smith said: "The residents and some of the staff and myself have been busy for the last two weeks getting the hats done and choosing the flowers.

"Those that could not manage hats made artwork to go on the walls.

"We do this every single year and we have a had a lovely afternoon." The entertainment lasted all day yesterday, with the Warehouse Club in Zetland Road, Middlesbrough, hosting its own charity rock festival..

This was followed by a late night party for over-18s at Cellar 51 in Stockton.

Craig Harker, of Music Madness North East, said a percentage of the takings from both events would be donated to the Butterwick Hospice.

He said: "I'm doing it because they looked after my nana and grandad and I want to give something back." Craig added that they had a fantastic line up of R'n'B and Indie bands..

CAPTION(S):

SEARCHING: Sisters Georgia, 11, and Tiffany, 12, on the right, hunt for clues at Ormesby Hall Easter egg trail PARADE: At Poplar's Care Home in Thornaby, residents and visitors donned their Easter bonnets. Above, Ethel Lindsay, centre, and daughter Judith Powell are chatted to by the mayor of Thornaby, Mike Eddy, and below, Diane Passman, left and her mum Sylvia Robinson, right, visiting resident Bob Davey FUN: Four- year-old Thomas Joynt, from Seaton Carew, has his face painted by Caroline Found, above, and below, Toby Collett with Nell Bartlett, five, and Kitty Bartlett, seven, from Durham, during Saltholme Nature Reserve's Easter activities ROCK ON: Middlesbrough band This City Romance, below, were the first of around 10 bands to play at the Warehouse Club's Easter Rock event Picture PETER BENN BRINGING CHEER: TFM presenter Wayne Allen, above THINGS TO DO: At Saltholme Nature reserve, David John, six, and Beth John, 11, join in a treasure hunt, left, while far left, Lois Joynt, eight, tries some Easter crafts FOUND ONE! Lydia Collier, seven, from Ingleby Barwick, gets a prize at Ormesby Hall's Easter Egg hunt, left