MESSY play was enjoyed by children at a Basingstoke nursery as part of a national event.

Youngsters from Kiddi Caru, in Beggarwood, took part in National Messy Dais– organised by Outstanding Day Nurseries – set up for childcare settings to share best practice.

The event is held to encourage nurseries across the UK to use messy play to aid holistic development, including using different senses, language and fine motor skills.

It is thought messy play helps children with their development, such as learning to grasp tools or using language to share feelings.

Children at Kiddi Caru came to nursery in old clothes so they could get messy outside in the garden and inside using paints, water, flour and mud.

Manager Suzanne Chilvers said: “Messy Dais is fabulous fun for the children who can literally get as messy as they like and it also helps their development.

“The parents were all very supportive of the idea too, despite the extra laundry it produced!”