YOUNGSTERS from a Church Hill playgroup were in for a surprise when two storybook heroes turned up to meet them.

The members of Toytown Playgroup, based at Moons Moat Meeting Rooms at Moons Moat First School, were recently treated to a visit from Noddy and Big Ears from Enid Blyton's classic children's stories.

Organisers of the group entered a competition, organised by Safeway in conjunction with Deans Foods Ltd, and won the chance for the children to meet the larger than life characters.

When organisers wrote to another company, Princes Food, and told them what was to happen, they agreed to supply beakers so the youngsters could all raise a glass of squash to Noddy and Big Ears.

Organiser Julie Whitehouse said: "We were thrilled when we knew we had won, the children were unbelievably excited."