IT WAS third time lucky as the Hawthorn Centre staged its annual summer extravaganza this week.

Crowds gathered to sample a showcase of health, education and sports in and around the venue in Orange Grove, Padgate, which built upon the achievements of two previous spectaculars.

Centre assistant Mike Howard said: "It gave people food for thought about all kinds of things and was a great success."

The council's sports development team was on hand, added Mike, so youngsters were able to try their hand at different kinds of fun activities from flag rugby to netball.

Displays were also staged by Warrington Collegiate Institute and the town's Community Health Care Trust and proved popular draws.

Winging his way around the site was wise owl Jaffa and handler Tommy McNally while an all-day DJ, fun-fair and super-slide kept the young at heart entertained.

Organising the event was BA Honours graduate Dawn Lane, aged 36, from Longbarn, who was determined to ensure the event, focusing on the Blackbrook, Sutton Trust and Grasmere and Greenwood estates, went with a bang.

The centre was able to drum up support for a series of new courses set to be launched in September including book-keeping, desk-top publishing, basic food hygiene and first aid.

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