A giant sand pit and pop up puppet show helped transform Mile End play park into a thriving seaside resort.

East London Advertiser: The pupper show also proved popular with the crowdsThe pupper show also proved popular with the crowds (Image: © Rehan Jamil)

The council’s annual A Day by the Sea event attracted a record turnout of almost 5,000 people.

Children enjoyed seeing the park from a new perspective aboard Maurice the donkey while other draws included a bungee trampoline and an opportunity to pedal their way to a refreshing smoothie thanks to the urban smoothie bikes.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “Every year we put on a fantastic event which has been growing in popularity. I am pleased that thousands of residents have benefited from this free event.”

Cabinet member for culture, Cllr Shafiqul Haque, added: “It’s good to see so many families enjoying themselves at one of our flagship summer events.”

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