A NEW café and sweet shop got into the half term spirit on Thursday by welcoming youngsters for a morning of fun.

The Lollipop Café, which includes the Short But Sweet Candy Shop, in Cricklade Road, invited people dressed as mascots to come and entertain the children.

The combined café and sweet shop has only been open for a couple of weeks and owner Maria Jackson thought it the perfect way to launch her new venture.

Maria, who had a café in Blunsdon market before she chose to move to Cricklade Road, said: “Today was about showing people our new shop. It’s the only one in Swindon that combines a café with a sweet shop.

“We held a character breakfast for the children and their mums and dads. They had their photos taken with the mascots and everyone really enjoyed it.

“One little girl jumped for joy when the characters came in, she couldn’t believe it.”

Maria’s sweet shop is mobile and she and her helpers take it on the road to music festivals and other such events.

She said: “A lot of residents are completely behind us. We are right on the main route to the school, which we thought might cause a few problems with children having to walk past the sweet shop. But they have been very good.”