by Hayley Robinson

TV and radio presenter Chris Evans visited the area on Monday to open a playground, complete with pirate ship, at Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

It is fully wheelchair accessible and includes a beach area with a hammock as well as traditional equipment such as swings and a roundabout.

To mark the occasion, Jordan Wright, 16, who uses the facility in Rook Lane, Bobbing, helped Chris to smash a sugar glass bottle against HMS Demelza, which boasts a mast, crow’s nest and warning bell.

While the Radio 2 DJ was spared from having to walk the plank, he was asked to cut a specially-made pirate cake.

Young people who visit the hospice were also in attendance along with those who contributed to the Play ‘n’ Sailing appeal which raised £130,000 to build the fun area.

Chris said: “My friend Rohan Fernando [who supports the charity] strong-armed me here.

"I can instantly see why. A lot of people are frightened to go to children’s hospices as they think they are going to be really sad but they are actually the opposite.”

Four-year-old Stanley Turner presented him with a painting by fellow hospice visitor Mathew, nine, as well as some presents for his sons.

He was then taken on a tour of the 10-bed facility before posing for photographs with staff, children and families and signing autographs.

The visit coincided with Demelza’s Go Dotty week where schools, companies and individuals wear dots or do something dotty to raise funds and awareness during national Children’s Hospice Week.