WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron got the ball rolling on two days of anniversary celebrations at Silverdale Holiday Park, near Arnside, at the weekend.

The business was marking its 60th birthday under the ownership of the Holgate family with free activities and entertainment for local families and other visitors.

Mr Farron launched the event by rolling the first official ball at the park's new high-tech bowling alley, part of a £1m makeover just completed at its leisure centre.

The 100-acre park, which first began welcoming visitors in 1956, today provides more than 500 caravan holiday homes plus touring pitches and luxury timber-built camping pods.

Addressing the 150-plus guests, including local council officials, tourism chiefs and neighbouring businesses, Mr Farron said that Silverdale Holiday Park was a business of which Cumbria should be proud.

The MP praised the extensive leisure developments at the park, including its pool, gymnasium and spa, which he said were enjoyed both by holiday guests and members of the local community.

He added that what really underlines the park's sustained success is the commitment shown by the Holgate family and its staff to genuinely caring for its customers.

The weekend's festivities included a Lakeland beer festival, a bouncy castle, face-painting, a magic show and tractor rides – plus 1950s musical tributes.

And on Sunday the Lakeland Historic Car Club met at the park for a rally featuring veteran two and four-wheel vehicles.