A children's soft play area has been forced to close after a mouse was found at the centre.

The children's play centre at the Kursaal, Southend seafront has closed for a deep clean operation.

Furious parents posted on social media about the incident.

One said: "Avoid Kursaal play area.

"Mouse has been found running in and out the play area, this is while children where playing.

"Staff think it's ok just to clean the area that said mouse was found."

A spokesman for Disco Bowl Southend Limited said: "It was reported to our team at Southend yesterday by a member of the public that a mouse had been seen in our soft play area.

"Our team immediately closed the area affected.

"The area has been deep cleaned by the team but will not be reopened until it has been cleared and checked by a pest control company, Instakil, who are attending today as a precautionary measure.

"This is a shared building and all areas of our section of the building will be checked and serviced.

"The safety of our customers is our absolute priority, commented Complex Director Perry Mountford. We apologise to anyone affected but I won’t cut any corners. We hope the soft play facility will be open again later today.

"Sadly when the former MFA company failed, the administrators closed the site, and we are now fighting to get the message across that we are open for business. Trade was severely affected by the closure which was just 4 days. 19 people have been re employed by us as we fight to get the site back to it’s best.

"We have been in occupation at the venue for just 10 days now, and we have some exciting developments coming soon to reinvigorate this grand old building. As we only occupy the building under licence from the administrator at present, we are working with the landlord to secure a long term future for this site, and also to make the most of the classic venue we have. However, with a weekly rates bill of £3147, nevermind the rent, the cost of keeping this attraction open is high, and we look forward to the support of the people of Southend to help us keep this valued facility in use.

"The Kursaal site, opened in 1901 offers 30 lanes of Bowling, a VIP bowling section (complete with its own bar), Coffee shop, Amusement arcade, Laser Tag, Party rooms, Soft Play, 2 victorian function suites with a marriage licence and a sports bar. This site has been entertaining families for nearly 120 years and we look forward to 120 more."