Parents and young children will be disappointed to hear that local attraction Pecorama is removing its popular soft play area.

The visitor attraction in Beer has taken the decision to close and remove the 'Play Station' to allow for extra space for staff from its adjoining Peco factory, which produces model railways.

A statement from Peco directors Michael Pritchard and Ben Arnold explained: "After much consideration and consultation, it is with immense regret that we have taken the decision to remove the Indoor Soft Play Area, here at Pecorama.

"We realise that this is very disappointing news for many of you who have been loyal visitors to this space.

"As most of you will be aware, we have a large and award-winning factory onsite and, during the pandemic, demand for model railways has grown and looks like it will continue to do so.

"Since March last year, our factory staff have been using the space in the Play Station and around the site to enable social distancing is in place.

"Going forward, we will need more space for production and keeping our staff safe is, of course, our highest priority. Thus, the sad decision to utilise the large area that the play equipment takes up.

"It is being dismantled with the greatest care by the original manufacturers and will be packed ready to enable it to be resold, along with all installation diagrams. If anyone is interested in this, please don't hesitate to contact us as we would love for it to stay local if at all possible.

"Looking to the future, we hope to be able to open in some way in the summer, depending on Covid restrictions, whereby we will offer our ever-popular steam train rides, access to the stunning gardens and of course, our large outside children's play areas will also be open.

"We hope you understand our decision and thank you all for your continued support of Pecorama."