It's ships ahoy at new play area complete with a submarine

Horizon Leisure, which is run by a charitable trust, opened the doors to Oceans of Play last week.

The four-storey structure at its Havant leisure centre is based on a ship. It comes amid huge investment into the two leisure centres, Havant and Waterlooville.

The gyms at both sites have had refurbishments and upgrades to all equipment. As a result membership has soared.

The new play area has two separate areas for juniors and toddlers. For juniors the bottom level has an underwater theme and the top three levels are the decks of the ship.

Children are able to climb the rigging on the giant ship, slide into the sea, dive into the ball pit and discover what is hiding in the depths of the ocean.

The separate toddler area of the play centre is a submarine.

Toddlers can play with the fish, swim with the seals and go on an underwater adventure discovering creatures under the sea.

Carl Shear, operations manager at Horizon, said: ‘The theme is a great setting to get children’s imaginations running wild and allows them to begin their adventure on the high seas.

‘It has already proved a hit with both children and parents alike.

‘The huge galleon provides great excitement with the lower deck and underwater areas.’

The party rooms have also been refurbished providing a bright fresh modern look with giant wall vinyls bringing the Oceans of Play theme to life during children’s birthday parties.

Each room has a different theme which are Blue Seas, Icy Oceans and The Corals.

Creatures such as sharks, sting rays, lobsters and jelly fish could be spotted in the Icy Oceans room, whales, seals, polar bears and penguins will be found in the Blue Seas room and in The Corals room children will be able to spot tropical creatures and plants.

Each child is given a passport.

Every time they visit the play centres in Havant and Waterlooville they get their passport stamped to get their fifth and 10th visit free.