YOUNGSTERS refused to let the rain put their play at bay as they were entertained by Captain Jack in the newly-refurbished Havelock Square.

Face painting, sword fighting with balloons and hiding treasure was all part of the fun and games in the town centre on Saturday, organised by inSwindon BID.

And potty pirate Captain Jack took a break from sailing the seas to make sure the day was ship-shape.

“We are just having a bit of fun; a bit of pirating and getting the kids to create their own treasure maps so they can hide their own treasure,” he said.

“The children love it. We’ve had lots of new recruits and when they get their balloon swords made we teach them lots of pirate moves.”

Among the families to be queuing to get a slice of the action was Wendy Caldeira, who lives in Deacon Street, and was with her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

She said: “I love the new look of the area, it’s very spacious and open.”

While Emma Isted-Fisher, from West Swindon, who was with her partner and four sons waiting for the face painting, said: “It looks cleaner and fresher and more up-to-date. I don’t know whether it means the town centre will be busier though.”

Anthony Purcell, marketing co-ordinator from inSwindon BID, said the area was designed with relaxation in mind.

“It gives it a more alfresco type feel to the town centre," he said.

"I am sure it will attract new businesses into the town centre and inSwindon is going to putting on a lot more events here.

“Today Captain Jack has been in and out of all the businesses causing havoc and mischief.

“It’s been great so far and the rain hasn’t put people off, we are still having lots of fun and kids with their parents are under the gazebo getting their face painted, doing treasure maps and colouring in, as well as balloon sword making.

“I think Captain Jack is recruiting lots of new pirates too.”

Next Saturday from 11am to 4pm it will be the turn of Major Krazy, an intrepid explorer, who will be tracking down the very rare WooWoo bird. He will also show his prized possession, an ancient and mysterious key he found when exploring deep in the Amazon, said to be haunted by its previous owner, Chief Umbongo.

He will delight crowds with plenty of audience participation, balloon twisting, creepy crawly fun and more.