YOUNGSTERS can let their imaginations run wild at a new Hampshire role play village.

The brainchild of Southampton mum of two Katie Betteridge, I Wanna Be has opened its doors at Abbotswood near Romsey.

Boasting a beauty salon, vets, cafe, fire station and supermarket, the venue allows children up to the age of around eight to learn while playing.

Owner Katie, who has two teenage daughters and lives in Dibden Purlieu, worked in shipping for 25 years before deciding to set up her own role play business.

She told the Daily Echo: "I've been wanting to do this for a long time and it's taken two years to get the right venue and get everything in place. I've always loved kids and I think they have the most amazing imaginations.

"Kids are brilliant. And I think it's so important, especially now with all the access to gadgets, that children learn how to play. This is something completely for them where they can just use their imaginations, no gadgets, nothing else, just them.

"I also wanted to give parents a place to sit, relax, unwind without guilt. A place where their child is learning, developing and just enjoying being a child."

The five play sections were flown over from the United States and constructed by Lilliput Play Homes, who have previously worked with members of the Kardashian family and Katy Perry.

I Wanna Be has a capacity of 40 people and boasts a small cafe serving sandwiches, hot drinks, cakes and snacks, plus popular basket lunches for children.

The venue is available to hire for parties and has just added a play tent for babies.

There are three sessions every day, each two and a half hours long and children are rewarded with a sticker at the end of their session.

I Wanna Be is open seven days a week, excluding a few dates at Christmas and New Year and Easter Sunday.

See iwannabe.co.uk