Chester-based charity Save the Family, which provides emergency accommodation, training and support to homeless families throughout the region, hosted a fun day on Saturday its new premises at Cotton Hall Farm, Christleton.

Guests enjoyed an action-packed afternoon of entertainment, numerous activities, refreshments and a raffle. There were also several stalls selling hand-made crafts and home-made jams prepared by the charity, as well as stalls from other local businesses, keen to support Save the Family's fundraising efforts.

Proceeds from the day will help fund the re-development of the dilapidated farmhouse and its outbuildings. Plans for the site, which were on display at the fun day, include 26 accommodation units, children and family centres and training facilities.

The charity, who also has an accommodation centre in Oakenholt, Flintshire, needs to raise £3.5 million to fund the development, which will be used to accommodate, educate and rehabilitate families.

Save the Family chief executive Ian Oulton said: "The fun day offered an excellent opportunity for our local supporters, neighbours and interested parties to meet the staff and residents of Save the Family.

"It was a chance for them to have fun, bring their families, and discover more about our work, our exciting plans for the future and our determination to help hundreds more families break the devastating cycle of homelessness and lead a life we all take for granted."

Since it was established 30 years ago, Save the Family has helped more than 5,000 families find their feet.

Founded by Edna Speed, of Chester, the charity is only able to deal with 12 per cent of the families referred to it.

For more information about the work of the charity visit www.savethefamily.uk.com