YOUNGSTERS are being taken on a magical trip into their imagination – courtesy of the Royal Air Force.

Interactive stories, a hut that goes on for infinity and screens, themes and lighting that can meet everything a youngster’s heart desires are behind the doors of RAF Leeming’s newest community facility.

The Imaginarium is the result of vision, community spirit and a generous donation by the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The idea of a sensory room was first raised by RAF Leeming’s Community Development Officer, Becki Taylor. It was taken on as a project by Kate Davies, whose husband serves on 90 Signals Unit.

Together with Tracy Haley, the trio decided that they had the opportunity to create a space suitable for noisy story times or quiet sanctuary.

But with initial cost estimates standing at more than £20,000, it was thought that the Imaginarium would be a very long way off – until the Benevolent Fund stepped in.

The fund’s director of welfare Paul Hughesdon said: “We were delighted to provide significant funding to help make this figment of imagination a magical reality for RAF children.

“Military life can be hard on children and we hope that the Imaginarium will be a place of wonder and inspiration to all of RAF Leeming’s young people, especially those with special needs.”

Kate said: “It can be all things to all people because it’s been programmed to be adaptable. We couldn’t find exactly what we wanted in any catalogue so we designed it ourselves.”

As well as a computer network that can be programmed to change lighting colour and brightness, music and screen projections, the Imaginarium has an interactive story book and is filled with colours and textures designed to appeal particularly to younger children and those with additional needs.