A PLAY centre opened to provide a fun place for disabled people has celebrated its first anniversary.

A party was held at Boomerang on Saturday to mark the occasion, with games, stalls, a tombola and bouncy castle.

Mum Emma Birkett was inspired to set up the charity after struggling to find somewhere safe for her daughter Ellie, now aged 11, to play.

And now Ellie — who has autism, severe learning difficulties and mobility problems — is among the many people having fun at the centre in Woodhill Street, Bury.

More than 13,500 families have visited Boomerang since it opened 12 months ago, travelling from all over the North West and as far away as Yorkshire, Shropshire and Wales.

Mrs Birkett, of Swanage Close, Brandlesholme, said: “The first year has been fantastic. I thought everyone knew about the centre now, but we are still welcoming lots of new people who have never been before. They are coming from miles away to play here. I spent five years working towards this and I see the difference that Boomerang makes every day. All the parents say they can’t believe there is now somewhere for them to take their children to play.”

The centre offers three play rooms with a range of equipment to meet the needs of people with various disabilities.There is a soft play area, interactive room with state-of-the-art equipment, and a sensory room which includes a water bed, large bubble tube and colour-changing ball pool.

And it is set to get even better in the next 12 months.

Mrs Birkett, who won the business category of Bury’s Woman Of The Year competition in October, said: “Next year I hope to get some new equipment and build on the success we have had over the last 12 months. We want to support as many families as we can.

“I also want to build networks with other local charities and support groups, as well as set up a support group for mums of children with special needs. I’m also looking to start evening sessions from September for children who want to come and play.”

For more information about Boomerang: visit www.boomerangcentre.co.uk.