Beulah Baptist Holiday Club

Almost 90 children turned up at the start of a week that promised to be full of games, craft and fun.

The youngsters divided into three groups for the week - Knighty Knights were the youngest, then Jedi Knights, and the oldest were The Crusaders.

The summer school was run by the Rev Ed Jones who, dressed as a knight, visited all the primary schools in Bexhill to tell the children what they might expect.

He was pleased by their response and the number who turned up to take part.

Ed said: "We were hopeful and we are really pleased with the turnout.

"But by going round the schools, they got more of a feel of what was actually going to take place.

"The assembly was designed as a taste of the atmosphere of the week."

He said there were two reasons behind the project; "Part of me just fancied taking the knight's theme so I could dress up and build a castle ... but it is also looking at who Jesus is, and the difference knowing Him could make.

"The response is very encouraging ... especially with the number of other things that children can do, and in the summer holidays as well.

"I think to have over 80 children want to come along and take part in a week that is in a church - although we are doing craft and games and things and making it a time of fun for them, with a Christian message - is encouraging and exciting."

Ed is assistant minister at Beulah Baptist church having arrived three years ago. He is 25 and thinks his age helps youngsters relate to him.

"I have been told in schools I am on a wavelength with the children, which I take as a compliment, that they can respond to me," he said.