A Jack Sparrow look-a-like will be launching a new soft play pirate ship at an event to be held this morning at Sycamore Adventure in Dudley.

The Dudley Council-run centre, on the Old Farm Estate, is renowned for offering fun play opportunities for all children, regardless of their ability, in a safe and secure environment. The pirate ship has been funded through a grant from AVIVA and the centre benefits from support from its own friends and fundraising group.

The new pirate ship - which runs the length of the upper floor - was designed and made by Birmingham-based designer Matt Lloyd from Infamous Arts UK.

The team has invited VIP guests, some of their regular visitors and a Jack Sparrow look-a-like to see their new attraction at their unveiling today. Everyone is welcome to the day and throughout the week - children will be able to experience the centre and make use of the sunken trampolines, sandpit, sensory room as well as the accessible water features and play structures.

The indoor play area includes the new soft play pirate ship, sensory room, dressing up area, craft station, book corner and toy section. Snacks and drinks are available from the onsite café which helps to fund the centre.

The centre will be open to all children from 10am to 4pm and then throughout the week with different hours on Wednesday (1pm to 4pm), Friday (10am to 4pm) and Saturday (11am to 2pm). On Thursday 21st February the centre will only open for children who have a physical or learning disability and are in need of additional support from 10am till 4pm. Councillor Sue Ridney, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

"Sycamore Adventure is a brilliant place for children to be children. It’s somewhere they can go to imagine, invent and play. They can be adventurers in the centre’s grounds and wild spaces, or sit and create their own worlds in the centre itself.

"This new soft play pirate ship is sure to be an absolute hit with the children who use the centre, and I can’t wait to see it, meet Mr Sparrow and the children who bring this centre to life. 

"The centre is free to use but visitors are asked to make a small donation of £3 per child to help with the centre’s upkeep.

Families wishing to attend need to register their children online by visiting sycamoreadventure.co.uk and selecting register to play, if they have not done so before. Parents must stay with their children for the duration of family play sessions.