Budding palaeontologists and their parents had a roar-some time learning about everything dinosaurs over the Easter holiday break.

Dinosaurs made a special trip from the prehistoric times to visit Romford Shopping Hall on April 13 to entertain 200 children who attended its Dino Day.

Put on by Dino2Hire, five shows by different dinosaurs were accompanied by an egg hunt, games, colouring, sandpits and more.

Romford Recorder: Kai Jones, eight, feeding T-RexKai Jones, eight, feeding T-Rex (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Fossil digging with Amira Cheema, four; Charley Glazier, two; Ilmeeyat Fahmid, five; and Daria Izbase, nineFossil digging with Amira Cheema, four; Charley Glazier, two; Ilmeeyat Fahmid, five; and Daria Izbase, nine (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Theo Butler, eightTheo Butler, eight (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Sales and marketing manager at Romford Shopping Hall, Michelle Fitzgibbons, said one of the dinosaurs who visited - Squirt - got her drenched.

Romford Recorder: Michelle gets a soaking from a dinosaurMichelle gets a soaking from a dinosaur (Image: Sandra Rowse)

"He got me good and proper," she laughed, adding: "They [the kids] absolutely loved it [the event].

"It was educational for the kids because they were told who was a meat-eater or vegetarian and things like that. We had nice feedback from the parents saying it was good value for money and how they enjoyed themselves and got out of the house.

"It was hard work but it was good fun."

Romford Recorder: Freddie Shread, four, and Oliver Benton. threeFreddie Shread, four, and Oliver Benton. three (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Jaxon Staunton, threeJaxon Staunton, three (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Shops at the hall got involved, such as Made2Sparkle making dinosaur keyrings and Tea Pot Cafe serving up turkey dinosaurs, chips and beans.

The hall had a jammed Easter schedule, with a bonnet-making workshop on March 26, an Easter egg hunt on April 7 and slime workshop with the Essex Slime Company on April 11.

Romford Shopping Hall took no profits from the events.

Romford Recorder: Lacey Palmer, threeLacey Palmer, three (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Arthur Overton-Joiner, fourArthur Overton-Joiner, four (Image: Sandra Rowse)

With some shop owners having recently retired, Michelle is looking for new businesses to set up in vacated units from £150 a week.

The Recorder team is also hosting a weekly meet and greet at the hall every Friday.


Romford Recorder: Michelle from Romford Shopping HallMichelle from Romford Shopping Hall (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Rhiannon, four and Niamh, eightRhiannon, four and Niamh, eight (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Stanley Daniels, fiveStanley Daniels, five (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Vivaan Bachanaboina, three, With Baby DinoVivaan Bachanaboina, three, With Baby Dino (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Paisley Bailey, four, With Baby DinoPaisley Bailey, four, With Baby Dino (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Paisley Bailey, four, feeding T Rex with sausagesPaisley Bailey, four, feeding T Rex with sausages (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Children enjoying Romford Shopping Hall's Easter Dino2Hire eventChildren enjoying Romford Shopping Hall's Easter Dino2Hire event (Image: Sandra Rowse)