The popular children's activity days held aboard Maldon's historic barges have received funding for another year, thanks to a Chelmsford based charitable trust.

An £1,000 grant from the Essex Community Foundation to the Thames Sailing Barge Trust has ensured that dozens of youngsters can enjoy a free holiday treat this year aboard the Centaur, moored off Hythe Quay, in Maldon.

Four Children's Days are planned for the year, the first starting at 11am on Thursday, April 17. Another will follow in June and two more in August, dates to be announced later. 

Groups of children and their carers will be invited above and below decks to hear about the barges' history, to do artwork, learn to tie knots and hoist the famous red sails.

Children's Days aboard the Thames barges are available free of charge to all Essex youngsters aged 5-11. Each session lasts an hour, and includes activities as well an a free child's activity pack given to each participant.

A Barge Trust spokesman also added that storytelling sessions have also been planned for later in the year.

While free, the trust is "grateful" to any donations received.

Children's Days are extremely popular and spaces are limited, so parents and carers wishing to enrol their youngsters on the April 17 sessions should visit www.bargetrust.org/events now to be sure of a place.