IT was just like being at the seaside right in the heart of landlocked Eastleigh town centre.

There were Punch and Judy shows and horse and wagon rides - and there was hardly space to spread a towel as dozens of children turned out for Eastleigh Carnival's sandcastle competition.

Youngsters were given 30 minutes to build the castle of their dreams at the packed event on the Leigh Road recreation ground before carnival princesses Kirsty Cole and Katherine Harvey judged their efforts.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time, whether they were winners or not.

It was a debut in the Eastleigh competition for eight-year-old Jonathan, six-year-old Nicholas and four-year-old Sebastian Aslet, from The Quadrangle, Eastleigh.

But mum, Mrs Jane Aslet, revealed the family had actually won a sandcastle competition while holidaying near Cromer, Norfolk, just a couple of weeks ago.

She said: "I hadn't heard about the Eastleigh competition before, but my friend told me about it. I think it's a fantastic idea - it's just really nice that they do something for the children."

Happy smiles all around the recreation ground seemed to confirm that sentiment, while carnival committee members were also entitled to feel elated about the number of youngsters who turned up for the event.