A DELIGHTED family have praised staff at a Canvey amusement park whose special efforts made it a magical day out.

Jennie and James Osborn, from Dagenham, had taken their four children to the island for a day trip.

One of their children, four-year-old Jake, has an undiagnosed genetic condition which means he is reliant on a wheelchair.

He was enjoying the day at the seaside while his siblings had tokens to go on the rides at Fantasy Island, on Canvey seafront.

Jennie said: “He can’t walk, or sit up and is non-verbal. He is completely wheelchair-bound.

“He has epilepsy as well and is quite happy watching them and we went to the beach for an ice cream.

“We were just about to go as they had run out of tokens when a member of staff came up to us.

“She asked if Jake liked rides.

“I replied that we had been to Disneyland and he went on a few of them.

“She asked if he would like to try one here.

“At first I said we were just about to leave and said we had run out of tokens, but she said it would be their pleasure.”

The member of staff pointed out a few rides which might be suitable for Jake, and Jennie picked the Minion ride.

She said: “They assisted us getting in and there was a member of staff with us all the time.

“It was just a really nice gesture.

“It made us feel quite special.

“It can be quite hard to take Jake out compared to a so-called normal child, but this was just so lovely.

“Jake loved it. He was absolutely beaming.

“He just looked so happy.

“We don’t suffer discrimination but it can be difficult when we are out and about.

“It really made our day.”

They were then helped off the ride and said to the staff how grateful they were.

Jennie, who is a member of charity Swan, which stands for syndrome without a name, said she saw one team member of Fantasy Island wiping away tears after seeing how much it meant to the youngster.

She added the experience was also encouraging them to let Jake try new things, and not just focus on his disability.