His chain of office may not have special powers, but the Mayor of Dartford was joined by a team of superheroes to mark the opening of a nursery building.

Cllr John Burrell and the mayoress, his wife Eija, officially opened the new building at Asquith’s Wilmington Day Nursery and Pre-School, with the help of Captain America, Spiderman, Belle and Cinderella.

More than 80 parents and children attended to celebrate the £1.2 million investment.

Children now benefit from spacious rooms with the latest resources including a learning room with ICT equipment and a functional children’s kitchen with a working oven.

Nursery manager Eve Brockwell said: “It was a lovely day and a fantastic way to celebrate this wonderful new space for our children.

“The feedback we received about the new rooms was lovely to hear, and I know that the children can’t wait to get in there and explore.”

Other activities included face painting, a balloon artist, games, free family portraits with a professional photographer and food prepared by a chef.