CHILDREN flocked to Alton's Public Gardens to see the Proteus Theatre Company's open-air production of Poppy Wild's Magical Machine.

Sitting in the half-term sun on rugs and deckchairs on Friday afternoon, the youngsters found out what happens when Poppy's dreams become a reality.

This fast and funny interactive play used story-telling as well as puppetry and physical performance to encourage young imaginations to flourish.

The picture shows Becky Kitter as Poppy Wild and Lee Garrett as Jack Wild with local children.