THIEVES failed to stop a new children’s adventure play centre opening on time in Portishead.

The Playport got the thumbs-up from children when it threw its doors open on schedule at 9.30am on Monday.

Owners Emma Carter and Gemma Watts had been forced to work around the clock to get it ready on time, after a break-in just days earlier.

Thieves smashed their way into the Old Mill Road building in the early hours of April 4, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage before making off with tools and equipment worth thousands.

Emma’s husband, Matt, said: “The business has taken more than a year to plan and it is devastating when within days of opening, someone comes along and tries to ruin all the hard work.

“We have now upgraded the security and we all pulled together ensure the opening went ahead as planned.”

Emma and Gemma have spent more than �100,000 transforming a disused warehouse into the modern play centre for children up to 12. It also includes a caf� serving snacks and drinks and providing newspapers and wi-fi for parents.

The Playport is open from 9.30am-6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am-5pm on Sundays.

For more details visit www.theplayport.co.uk