Community Centre, Middlesbrough.

Byline: By CHRIS HOLE

IT would have taken a lot more than rain to spoil play at the summer play scheme at Marton Community Centre.

The topsy turvy summer weather may have hit many people's holiday plans but it didn't stop these youngsters having fun.

The play scheme was hugely popular throughout the summer with up to 50 fun-loving kids going along each day to the twice-daily sessions.

Arty kids got creative and made banners and posters, while others made costumes to wear at the end-of-summer play scheme party at the Southlands Centre.

Sporty youngsters were able to tone up their table tennis skills while others played dodge ball.

A variety of games also kept the youngsters entertained. And budding musicians could rock out by playing Guitar Hero on the Nintendo Wii.

Ten-year-old Matthew Lagan was showing some fancy finger work on the guitar and said he was having a great summer at the play scheme.

"It's fun here and you have loads of things to do and make lots of friends," he said.

"The play leaders are nice and they help us do things. The games are good too.

"I've liked playing dodge ball but when we went bowling it was good because I won both games!

"There are more things for me to do here than staying at home and it keeps me fit and healthy too."

Hard-hitting youngster Eve Marshall agreed that the play scheme was the ideal place to spend the summer holidays.

"There are loads of fun games here and it's a good place to come when it's raining," the 10-year-old said.

"We have been to Stewart Park where we played games which was good."

And eight-year-old Emily Morgan also thought it was a cool place to hang out with friends.

"It's great here because you can do loads of things," she said.

"We can play games and do lots of arts and crafts. Some of my friends from school come here and I've made some new friends too."

Playscheme co-ordinator Katie Golden was the person responsible for making sure the youngsters all had a great summer.

"I really enjoy doing this," the 21-year-old said.

"I like working with the kids - I want to be a teacher so this is good practice and a good experience for me.

"It keeps the kids busy in the holidays and I think they really enjoy it because they keep coming back."

Marton councillor, Dorothy Davison, is a keen supporter of Marton's play scheme and has seen the effect it has had on local youngsters.

And she also knows the importance of the Community Centre to the area.

"They have been doing all sorts of different activities here," she said.

"Some of the kids' parents have said to me that the play scheme is absolutely wonderful.

"It's very, very important to the area and I love being involved with it."

Alan Hill, PCSO for the Marton area, has also been dropping into the play scheme for a chance to get to know the local youngsters.

"I come here and play games with the kids," he said.

"It helps me to get to know them and for them to get to know me which is great."

Marton Community Centre will be re-launching their Junior Youth Club next week.

The club will run each Tuesday from 4.20pm to 5.50pm. For details call 01642 275489.

CAPTION(S):

WHO'S THAT: Ryan Burnett with his Dr Who T-shirt and glasses that he designed and created, above; IT'S MINE! Liam Younger, Thomas Proctor, Harry Kearney and Jacob Springhall play-fighting, above GAME ON: Charlie Poole blocks Abbie Pearson from getting Connect 4 and is about to play his winning move, left;ROCK KID: Matthew Lagan plays Guitar Hero on the Nintendo Wii, left;A CUT ABOVE: Little designer Nicole Baker at the arts and crafts table, above