Awards for family-friendly places

THOUSANDS of votes have been cast in an award scheme that recognises the best places in Hampshire for people with young children.

More than 10,000 votes have been lodged for the scores of different businesses across 17 different categories in the Little Ankle Biters annual awards.

The categories range from best party supplier to best family-friendly place to eat, and best pregnancy service to best family attraction.

This year, there is also the Best Community Spirit Award, designed to recognise a family-friendly business that has adapted and evolved to continue its outstanding service during lockdown.

Among those are for awards are the Blue Reef Aquarium, Cumberland House Natural History Museum, the Kings Theatre, all in Southsea, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Wild Wonderland in Gosport and Sweet Peas Play Cafe in Fareham, plus more.

Little Ankle Biters is a free website providing families with reviews of familyfriendly businesses. It was created by Michelle Cairncross and Kate Gregory in July 2017. Katherine said: ‘The response from the public to these awards has been phenomenal.

‘We had over 1,000 local Hampshire businesses nominated by families across the county in the first stage of the Awards. Then five finalists in each category were selected, and we received over 10,000 votes from parents and carers for their favourites to win.’ The awards will be held live on Instagram at 1pm on Saturday. Go to @littleanklebitershants to follow the live stream.