A MUCH-loved entertainer made a visit to a Bournemouth children’s centre at the weekend to help celebrate a major milestone.

Christopher Biggins, an official Barnardo’s Ambassador, visited the charity’s Queen’s Park Sure Start Children’s Centre for youngsters aged under five and their parents.

Staff at the East Way centre, which is managed by Barnardo’s on behalf of the borough council, have registered more than 2,000 children since it opened in 2009, providing a wide range of activities including parenting programmes, breastfeeding support and play sessions.

Christopher, known for his roles in Porridge and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, as well as his winning stint on the 2007 series of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, joined staff, volunteers and families for a teddy bear’s picnic before cutting a cake.

Barnardo’s children’s services manager Sarah Moore said: “We are so happy that Christopher was able to join us at such an important milestone “The children’s centre has become a focal point for families, whatever their background or situation, providing so many services under one roof.”

Christopher was in Bournemouth to host Celebrities On Ice at the Pavilion, and said it was his first visit to a children’s centre.

He said: “I’m delighted that I’m helping to celebrate such an impressive achievement by the charity’s Bournemouth team.

“Everybody involved should be immensely proud of the dramatic difference they’re making to local lives.”

The centre features include parenting programmes, life-coaching, baby sensory classes, breastfeeding support, stay-and-play sessions, and young parents groups, as well as an outreach service which visits people in their own homes.

Councillor Nicola Greene, cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “I’d like to congratulate the staff of Queen’s Park Children’s Centre for reaching this milestone and making a difference to so many local lives.”