MASCOTS from East Lancashire softplay centres were among a crowd from around the country who took to the streets of London on Thursday to appeal to the government to do more to help the industry.

Cheeky Monkeys of Chorley, along with several of Blackburn’s centres, represented the county on the march which hopes to raise awareness of the dire situation the indoor play industry is facing due to the coronavirus crisis.

The march comes along with petitions and open letters to MPs.

Ian Kearney, of Cheeky Monkeys, said: “After the ‘who can open’ government press call last Thursday, which made no mention of softplay or bowling, approximately 20 locations have already called it a day or do not intend to open for the foreseeable future.”