SPRING is in the air and St Helens town centre is being transformed into an outdoor adventureland with shopping as an added bonus.

Throughout April you’ll be able shop in the garden being created in St Helens town centre. From Friday, April 4 to Tuesday, April 22 the council is creating a garden full of Easter activities and a children’s funfair in Church Square.

Easter bonnet and basket displays, face painting, badge-making provided by Small Wonders Nursery, and plant potting workshops by local garden centre Suregrow (on Saturday, April 5 and Friday, April 11) will feature.

Popular local children’s entertainment company Reefs Reptiles will have a host of exotic reptiles and creepy crawlies on Thursday, April 17 and colourful characters Cheeky Chick (Saturday, April 5) and the Petal Twins (Saturday, April 19) will also make appearances.

St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald said: “It’ll be a great start to the exciting series of events we have planned for the town centre throughout the year. The Garden proved really popular last year and this time round should be even better.”

The Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Andy Bowden will officially open The Garden at 12pm on April 5. Family events will be held in Church Square shopping centre and the Hardshaw Centre with Easter egg decorating on Friday, April 11 and Saturday April 12 plus an Easter bunny hunt where children can win chocolate eggs. The Hardshaw Centre will host a funtime ‘Eggs On Legs’ event on Saturday , April 19. For more information see www.whatsoninsthelens.com