A COUPLE were inspired to start their own business by their three-year-old twin daughters.

Darren and Andrea Peckitt were struggling to find anywhere for Annabel and Niamh to play, so they decided to invest in their own adventure playground.

It took several months for the couple to get their project off the ground after a planning wrangle that was eventually settled following an appeal.

But last week, after lots of hard work, the Ruff n Tumble Adventure World was opened on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Park, just in time for the Easter holidays.

There are several elements to the play area. A safe toddlers' room, for children up to four, includes a small slide, activities boards and climbing frames.

For older children there is a medieval castle, believed to be the largest of its kind in the country, which has several elements designed to thrill, including larger slides, a sponge ball game and an Indiana Jones-style rolling ball.

There is also a "death slide", with an almost sheer drop, suitable for children aged seven and over.

Mr Peckitt said: "What we wanted to create for the children was an experience which they couldn't get anywhere else.

"We wanted them to talk about this and give them the sense of enjoyment and thrills we think a place like this should give kids."

The venture also has three children's party rooms for hire, each with a different theme and decorated by commercial artist Katie Bird.

Ms Bird, best known for her work on author JK Rowling's swimming pool, has created murals to reflect a jungle room, a medieval room with a Harry Potter flavour, and an undersea world.

There are cafe areas for parents to relax while their children play, and a chef cooks food on the premises.

Plans are also under way to open a dance floor for children's discos in the near future.

Ruff n Tumble, which will eventually employ about 20 staff, is open every day between 9.30am and 8pm.

Admission prices are £3.50 for the over fives and £3 for the under-fives.

For details call (01325) 313777. Ms Bird can be contacted on (01325) 380096, or at www.katiebird.co.uk.