THE team behind the Dan's Den project, the new not-for-profit indoor children's soft play centre at Christchurch, Ilkley, is delighted to announce that it will be opening its doors to the local community on Saturday. (July 4)

This follows a massive fundraising effort with over £300,000 raised and overwhelming support from local parents and carers.

Jenny, a local mum, said: "Ilkley has always been missing something like this, and I can't wait to be able to take my daughter to play there and to meet my friends for a coffee. I've never been excited about the opening of a soft play centre before, but I am now!".

The Riddings Hall, the new home of Dan's Den, has undergone a major transformation and the team is delighted with the outcome. Caroline Kelly, the newly appointed Dan's Den Centre manager said: "Dan's Den will be a warm and welcoming place to meet and play. There will always be someone there to offer help and support should it be needed, and it will be a very welcome addition to existing play opportunities for children within Christchurch and Ilkley".

Dan's Den will be opening at 9.30am on Saturday and it will be open until 4pm.

To mark the occasion, there will also be Dan's Den arts and crafts activities outside the church on The Grove as well as an appearance by Isabel Hogan, the Ilkley Town Crier, from midday, and the first outing of the Dan's Den friendly lion.

There will be a Dedication Service held within The Riddings Hall on Sunday (July 5) at 10am.

Dan's Den will be open five days a week. For all details of the opening times and the entrance prices, visit www.dansdenilkley.co.uk or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/dansdenilkley.