SCORES of children and families, supporters and special guests joined Wirral charity Stick 'n' Step to celebrate the opening of its new centre in Wallasey.

Stick 'n' Step has become well known for its work with children with cerebral palsy from across the North West, providing essential therapy where they learn to push the boundaries of their disability through play - improving their future independence.

VIPs at the ceremony included Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox, who plays Nancy Hayton in the Channel 4 soap, Dame Lorna Muirhead, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Mayor of Knowsley, the Mayor of Warrington, the Mayor of St Helens, Mayor and Mayoress of Halton.

Ellis Palmer, aged 15, who has cerebral palsy, has been attending Stick 'n' Step since the charity was established in 2002.

He is an active attendee at the centre and an extraordinary ambassador for the charity.

He said: "I've come a long way in the past five years; from being able to brush my teeth, to being able to feed myself.

"Stuff like that is fantastic."

Having previously been within a parish centre in New Ferry, Stick 'n' Step's new location allows extra opportunity to improve services to the 63 families accessing the charity and further establish their position as one of the leading conductive education centres in the country.