Waterloo Road stars open centre

HAPPY DAYS . . . Smilie the Clown cuts a celebration cake watched by the BBC’s “Waterloo Road” actors Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles (centre), and Luke Bailey, who plays Marley Kelly, (back, right)

STARS of BBC hit show “Waterloo Road”, a fictitious comprehensive school in Rochdale, took a day off filming to open the new St James Children’s Centre.

Residents enjoyed a host of activities — including jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon modellers and puppeteers — at the new centre in Stevenson Drive, Sholver.

The open day gave parents a chance to see the centre and meet staff.

The centre will help families, with children aged up to five, access a range of services including training, health services, child minders and much more.

Oldham Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and families Councillor Kay Knox said: “The new St James Children’s Centre is a wonderful facility that will enable us to work with local families and care for children in a purpose-built environment looked after by trained staff.

“The centre will make life easier for parents, helping them to access flexible multi service support in a single location.”