MONSTERS, pirates, princesses and superheroes gathered on College Green for the city's biggest fancy dress party.

Playday, an event celebrating play in the city, included green den building, cardboard cities, trampolines, BMX bikes, the play bus, swing boats, a climbing wall, music, dance and more.

In Bristol, the city's play spaces are better than ever following a £4 million programme of improvements. A total of 30 local play spaces have been remodelled and improved, to encourage children to play outdoors.

The new creative designs reflect children and young people's own ideas and feature play equipment in natural landscaping, with lots of opportunities for children to use their imagination and explore.

Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, said: "Children and young people need to play.

"It is the way they have fun, and develop personally and socially. It builds self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

"Better outdoor play opportunities are good for children, good for families and good for communities.

"Here in Bristol we have much to celebrate at this year's playday.

"Our play spaces are better than ever, following a major programme of investment at play spaces across the city. I hope as many families as possible take the opportunity to go out to play this summer."

This year's celebration of play aimed to put children's play at the heart of the community and to ask everyone to help create great places for children to play.

Nationally, research shows that 71 per cent of adults used to play daily near their home when they were children, compared to only 21 per cent of children today.

To find out more about play in Bristol, visit www.goplacestoplay.org.uk.