It sounds like every youngster's dream. School children were given a special treat when showmen at King's Lynn Mart let them try all the rides for free.

Some 260 excited pupils from four schools around Lynn, some with special needs, took part in the event, organised by the Rotary Club of King's Lynn Trinity.

Joella Nash, 61, a teacher at Churchill Park School in Lynn, said: 'The children love it, they will go on anything. The showmen have all been brilliant with helping getting the children onto the rides from their wheelchairs. Their support is tremendous.'

Rotarian John Payne explained how the trips to the Mart began. He said: 'A few years ago, we used to take the children to Pleasurewood Hills, but it got so expensive. One of the members of the Rotary Club was from the Showmen's Guild, so he offered for the children to come to the Mart completely free.'

Lesley Bambridge, president of the Rotary Club of King's Lynn Trinity, said the children enjoyed seeing characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, while volunteers also got a lot out of seeing the children enjoying themselves.

'They enjoy the music and the rides,' she said. 'They don't care that it is raining and cold. I think the showmen have opened up more rides too this year. We did invite more schools, but not all were able to come.'

Mart showman Rennie Crick, 64, said he also enjoyed seeing the children enjoying the Mart.

'It's very good, whatever it costs us,' he said. 'It is well worth it.'

Mr Crick, said that he was 'satisfied' with the success of this year's Mart. The fair will be dismantled after this evening's show, before it moves on to Wisbech.

'The Mart belongs to the town,' said Mr Crick. 'The people in King's Lynn have always been nice.'