The owner of a popular play centre is offering a new service to help families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Tot Spot in Whitehaven has launched a gifting scheme, where people can pay for another family's play session.

Angie Greasley, who runs the family play room with soft play in the town centre, says the scheme is in response to the rising costs of living.

She has issued a plea for people to donate a session for families who can't afford to pay.

Angie said: "If you're struggling because of the cost of living price rises, the last thing we want is for people to be stuck at home with the kids, making a choice between a play date and food or nappies.

"It's really scary at the minute with the cost of living rises. People on a budget are now paying up to £13 a week more in utilities.

"If you're going to pay that much more in utilities, the first thing that's going to go, is leisure, or any luxuries.

"Being stuck at home is really difficult. During lockdown, when people came back out, you could see how desperate they were.

"They were completely isolated. There were no antenatal groups or interaction with other mums. It's terribly important to get out and about."

She said the gifting scheme has been "really well received" so far.

"If somebody came in wanting a session, I would message someone on the gifting list, asking them to pay for it.

"You don't have to justify why you can't pay. There is still this stigma of accepting charity. We don't see it as charity, we see it as someone has gifted them a session to play."

Angie is also running a freecycle event where people can donate toys and anyone who needs them can go and collect them on February 26.

For the gifting scheme, people can donate £4 for a play session, or £6 for a play session and drink.

Contact Tot Spot on Facebook or call 07746687209.