YOUNGSTERS can explore a world of their own when a tiny town opens in Darlington soon.

A miniature restaurant, supermarket and hair salon are among the attractions at the tiny town hoping to inspire big ideas.

Children are invited to indulge their imaginations and become whoever they dream to be at an unusual venture expected to open by the end of the month.

Tiny Town Darlington is an interactive play centre where children can explore a tiny town and adopt various personas – whether doctor, firefighter, police officer or otherwise - while learning and developing their communication skills.

Managers Ben and Natalie Yates are hoping to hold their first play sessions at Darlington's first roleplay centre within the next week.

The couple, who run similar businesses in Newcastle and Carlisle, believe Darlington children will benefit from the initiative, which was designed with the help of early years practitioners.

Mr Yates believes play sessions at the centre will encourage educational development and help to expand a child’s understanding of themselves and those around them through roleplay.

He hopes time at Tiny Town will also help youngsters to develop their communication skills.

The 36-year-old dad said: “We’ve designed this with the help of people from educational backgrounds.

“We know that children love to pretend, they love playing mums and dads and taking on different personas.

“They naturally roleplay and we believe it helps them with their social development and education.

“We think it’s really important to let children play and learn and we’ve had some amazing feedback since opening in Newcastle in 2015 and Carlisle in 2016.”

The venue, based in the former Grants Gym off John Dobbin Road, hosts four 90-minute play sessions a day and also boasts a café.

It will also hold ‘baby social’ events in a sensory room for the youngest customers and can be booked for parties, with special events – including visits from well-known characters – to be arranged on a regular basis.

For more information or to book a session, visit thetinytowndarlington.co.uk.