Determined not to let the weather spoil their day, hundreds of people turned up to a family fun day and ate ice cream in the rain.

The Play in the Park event, arranged by Ongar Mums, saw people of all ages trying out new sports, getting stuck into arts and crafts and enjoying homemade cakes, yesterday.

Liz May from Ongar Mums said that despite a last minute move to the scout hut the event was a success.

She said: “It went really well.

“We had to switch the venue the day before but people still came to enjoy it.

“There were people playing football, rugby, golf and tennis and free arts and crafts.

“We wanted to give kids something to do in the half term that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, just a few pounds for cakes.

“The mascot from Ongar Leisure Centre was really good, he was so enthusiastic. The children loved him.”

Following the success of last year, and now this year, Play in the Park could be set to become an annual event on the Love Lane playing fields.

After the fun day it was announced that £399.65 was raised to go towards new equipment for Ongar’s outdoor gym.