YOUNGSTERS will be hopping with joy as they take part in a bumper crop of Easter activities this weekend.

Throughout the break, egg-themed events will take place across the town, from the traditional Easter egg hunts at Lydiard Park, Queens Park and Bowood House to a train ride with the Easter Bunny on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Yesterday, dozens of children joined the Easter Bunny for breakfast at Blooms Garden Centre, in Hay Lane, where they each got a free gift and a hot meal.

The offer is available all weekend and one volunteer bunny, shop assistant Guy Ayrton, said: “Everybody really enjoyed it – it was great fun.”

Centre manager David Williams said: “Children who come along to the event will have the chance to meet the Easter Bunny and receive a gift.

“They will also have to find 10 hidden bunnies and every child that completes the hunt will receive a selection of Easter stickers.”

One youngster, Max, said: “I really enjoyed the bunny hunt and I won some stickers. The breakfast was nice too.”

To book a place, which costs £7.95, including breakfast, call 01793 852736 or visit www.bloomsswindongardencentre.co.uk.

Other events over the weekend include a train ride with the Easter Bunny on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, in Tadpole Lane, Blunsdon.

This runs from 11am to 4pm until and including Monday. For more information on ticket prices call 01793 771615.

Arts and crafts and an egg hunt are the order of the day at Bowood House and Gardens, Derry Hill near Calne.

It is open between 11am and 5.30pm and normal admission prices apply. For more details, call 01249 812102.

For something a bit different, there is the Highworth Scarecrow Trail, featuring kings and queens and a children’s quiz about things along on the route, with entry sheets available form various businesses in Highworth. Call 01793 861305 for more information.

For those undecided how to spend tomorrow, both Lydiard Park and Queens Park are hosting Easter egg hunts. The former will run from 11am to 3pm and cost £2 per child, while the latter is a free event suitable for children of all ages.