Helston’s Old Cattle Market celebrated one year of being open with a first birthday party for families in the town.

Guests were not put off by the pouring rain and enjoyed an afternoon of indoor activities on the wet Bank Holiday Monday.

Manager Sarah Vine said: “It went incredibly well actually – we’re really pleased. It was busier than we thought it would be and everyone seemed to have a brilliant time.”

She said that many people attended for the full three hours, between 1pm and 4pm.

There were three shows from magician Mr Tickles, which went down well with children and adults alike, with face painting, balloon modelling, bouncy castle and Punch and Judy also on offer.

Everyone there was able to leave their mark on the day – including Helston’s mayor and mayoress Jonathan and Wendy Radford-Gaby – by adding a painted handprint to Clara the life-sized model cow, who once she is made weather-proof will stand outside the building as a nod to its cattle market roots.

This proved something of a theme for the day, as youngsters could also colour in pictures of a cow in their own individual designs.

The day was finished off with traditional party food in the form of jelly and ice cream, plus a rather special cake created by the Owl Bakery that had the building’s logo of a green circle all the way through the centre, in green cake.

“There was just a really lovely atmosphere. I’m so glad we had things inside and people ventured out,” added Sarah.

“We really wanted to mark the first birthday of the Old Cattle Market by doing something for the community. Without the support of the community we wouldn’t be trading and here, so we made it as free possible.”

Sarah thanked the directors of the South Kerrier Alliance, which managed the building of the centre, for attending the party, including Wendy Radford-Gaby, Vicky Matthew and Justine Hornsby.