A MARRIED couple from Hampshire continue to blaze a trail in indoor play and party centres for children.

Paul Taylor and his wife Cecilia started Serendipity Leisure in 1999 with their first site in Romsey, catering for youngsters aged three to 11.

Within the year Serendipity Leisure was declared a start-up star in a competition sponsored by Sky News, HSBC and the Daily Express.

The couple then used the winning formula to set up a similar operation at Christchurch, Dorset.

Now Serendipity Leisure has branched out to Whitchurch in Hampshire with a third play centre, creating 30 jobs.

The latest deal is part of an ambitious plan to open five centres in seven years.

Colin Moore, regional manager for funding experts Armada, which helped pay for fixtures and fittings, said Serendipity Leisure is a premier provider of children's entertainment on the south coast.

He added: "Together the centres target 200,000 children in the Hampshire and East Dorset area and host more than 100 parties a week."

Paul said: "We are delighted with our growth and look forward to working with Armada to develop more centres."