HUNDREDS of youngsters attended Enid Blyton's 'Absolutely Smashing Day of Adventure' at Corfe Castle.

The event, the pinnacle of the Enid Blyton Estate's Summer of Adventure campaign, was all about encouraging families to get outside and be more adventurous.

Spokesman Siseley Coates-Harman told the Echo: "We gave away around 900 copies of the Famous Five books, everyone who completed the trail around the castle was given a book."

One of the highlights of the day, said organisers, was a masterclass by children's book illustrator Bebbette Cole.

Siseley said: "Corfe Castle was the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island and the 1000-year-old medieval fortress thrilled families who attended."

The day started with families travelling into Corfe on the Swanage Railway from Norden.

"Once they arrived at the castle they were greeted by plenty to do, including a towering cliff wall, an activity tent and story telling from the Famous Five series," said Siseley.

Enid Blyton, one of the world's bestselling children's authors, has strong ties to Dorset. She was a frequent visitor and based some of her stories on local people and landmarks.

More than 500 million copies of her books have been sold, and they have been translated into more than 40 languages.

The Summer of Adventure campaign was launched by the Enid Blyton Estate in response, they say, to a study that revealed children's summer holiday habits typically included less adventure, imagination and time outdoors compared to their parents' generation.

More than half of the parents polled claimed their children were far too reliant on electronic devices, while 41 per cent of parents expressed worries that their children were missing out on the sorts of adventures they had in their youth.