THOUSANDS of people turned out as a popular Easter eggstravaganza returned in a new venue.

The buggy park was overflowing as Leigh Community Centre came alive with the joys of spring on Saturday.

Old favourites, including Mr Wiz’s magic show, Quackers singing fun, Professor Joe’s Punch and Judy showand an art workshop hosted by the Arts Ministry, returned.

But the move from Leigh Library Gardens allowed new special features in the individual rooms of the community centre in Elm Road.

Snakes Alive put on a reptile display, Cally Davis Drama acted out the children’s classic The Velveteen Rabbit and Blenheim Children’s Centre put on an Easter crafts workshop.

There was also a bouncy castle and a barbecue from Leigh Lions Club in the car park.

Helen Symmons, events officer for Leigh Town Council, said: “It has gone brilliantly. We are overwhelmed with the response.

“Because we changed the venue and it’s a week before Easter rather than being on Easter weekend, when we normally hold the event, we weren’t sure people were going to respond – but the buggy park is overflowing! At the first punch and judy show and magic show, we had record numbers.”

More than 1,500 people turned out for the event in the first two hours alone.