A FUN-PACKED Easter play scheme which helps to support struggling families during the school holidays has been a cracker.

Colchester’s Firstsite ran its holiday fun programme at the award-winning gallery and at Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre during the Easter holidays.

It gave families the chance to keep children active, connected and inspired with a variety of free activities throughout the school holidays.

The two locations have been providing a variety of outdoor sport and art sessions for children to take part in, as well as a hot lunch for all the family.

All activities and meals were free for families who require additional support during the school holidays, including those who qualify for benefits-based free school meals.

Each of the activities was designed for youngsters aged between four and 11, but all ages were welcomed.

At Firstsite, artist Jacques Nimki led a series of free drop-in creative sessions for children, while artist Tristan Howe demonstrated how to make a shadow puppet theatre, draw a fantasy world, and make a hanging mobile and masks.

Children also enjoyed sports sessions, including street dance and multi-sports on Firstsite’s Berryfield Lawn.

In Harwich, artist Sarah Gunn showed youngsters how to make cardboard bunnies, butterflies, an exploring sketchbook and a spring collage.

And artist Iris Gunnarsdottir ran two hands-on drop-in sculpture sessions, using plasticine and paper straws.

More free creative fun was offered by Olivia Solanke who showed how to create a stunning bouquet of paper flowers, paper portraits of friends, families or the family pet and delightful busy bird nests.