A community facility at the heart of Darlington for 40 years has celebrated a milestone anniversary with an 80s themed party.

The Dolphin Centre, which has been part of Darlington’s community since the 1980s, held a family fun day on Saturday to mark the occasion.

The centre opened in 1982 and since then thousands of people of all ages have learned to swim there, taken up new hobbies or spent time there having a laugh with friends.

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More recently, it has had its own bowling alley and its under the sea themed soft play area has proved a hit with younger visitors.

The event on Saturday saw youngsters have a go at all sorts of activites, from scaling a mobile climbing wall in Market Square, to learning to fence, playing basketball and trying out table tennis.

The stage in Market Square also played host live music acts, with families pulling up a deckchair to soak in the atmosphere.

Beth Davidson, who has been going to the Dolphin Centre for 40 years – and remembers being asked for her input into what the facility would offer when it was still in its infancy - runs the Street Swords programme, teaching people of all ages and abilities to fence on a Monday evening.

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Beth, who has been a national and world champion, said: “The turn out today has been excellent. People have been really keen to try something new. Fencing is one of those sports that people feel like they can’t access but the Dolphin Centre and Darlington Borough Council have always supported Street Swords. We’ve been here over 10 years and the Dolphin Centre has always been really supportive.”

Here are some photos from the day - can you spot yourself? 

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

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The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

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The Northern Echo: Picture: Steve Curtis Picture: Steve Curtis

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