A £1million indoor play area was officially opened yesterday.

Owls Play Centre at Fairlop Waters in Forest Road, Barkingside, provides soft-play, multi-tiered facilities for babies and children up to 11 and will be managed by Vision Redbridge.

The children from Fairlop Primary School, on Colvin Gardens, Ilford, were given the chance to try out the play centre at its opening as a “Christmas treat.”

The centre replaces Al’s Barn which was closed on the site seven years ago.