Seriously ill youngsters from across Hampshire got the chance to escape the hospital wards for a day of fun with their families.

Starlight’s 17th annual Starlight Escape Day to Popham offered a magical taste of summer for hundreds of children from hospitals and hospices in the county.

They got the chance to fly in aeroplanes and helicopters, ride ponies, enjoy a carousel ride and even zoom around the airfield in sports cars, hovercraft and on motorbikes.

One youngster enjoying the day was five-year-old Halle Miles, pictured inset, from Southampton, who suffers from a complex illness that has seen her undergo 23 operations.

Neil Swan, chief executive of Starlight Children’s Foundation, said: “This year’s Starlight Escape Day to Popham was bigger and better than ever and we were delighted to be able to welcome hundreds of families from across the south of England.”