FunStar Tom

'We call it Haven Oswestry,' said dad Scott. 'Tom is so keen to be a FunStar we've built him his own stage complete with backdrop, curtains and a mini DJ box complete with a wireless microphone!' Tom works with all the other children in the neighbourhood to perform stage-shows that include all the Haven songs and party dances.

Tom even has his own mini-FunStar uniforms - both the casual daytime track suit and the glitzy evening shirt with the starburst logo. And whilst Rory the Tiger, Anxious the Elephant and all the other Haven characters haven't yet made it to Oswestry, Tom has a complete set of 3'high cuddly characters who live with him at home and add to the holiday park atmosphere.

Tom took his first Haven Holiday at Greenacres, near Black Rock sands in North Wales when he was just four years old. Dad Scott said, ‘He was transfixed by the FunStars. He loved everything they did - the daytime shows, the clubs and the evening performances. But he was quite shy and refused to get up and join in. We tried again the following year but we still couldn’t persuade him to get up and dance. It took FunStar Richard Marchelewski to coax him off his chair and since then he’s been completely besotted.'

The family followed Richard to another Haven Holiday park, Quay West, which overlooks Cardigan Bay. Later, when Richard moved on to a different job, FunStar DJ - Daniel Jones - replaced Richard in young Tom’s affections.

At Haven Oswestry the stage-shows include 'Professor Schloops', Tom’s own version of a Haven favourite, 'Doodle Bops' and the latest show ‘Lazy Town'. Tom, who now attends two dance classes to help him perfect his fancy footwork, writes and choreographs the shows himself.

Scott said, 'All the Mums and Dads get together to watch the shows and we make a bit of an evening of it - everyone has a really good time.'

At Quay West the team of FunStars look forward to welcoming Tom back to the park, where the family take two or three holidays every year. The park has plenty to do, with an indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor play areas, mini-golf, bike hire and a nature walk that leads down to the beach - but Tom likes to spend as much time as possible with the FunStars.

'He's a little star, 'said Entertainments Manager Carla Humphries who has been a FunStar for 7 years - three as Manager. 'He comes along to all the sessions and joins in with the activities. He loves to help when Rory the Tiger and the other characters go walkabout. And he knows all the dances - the only slight problem is that he’s learned them from videos so he does all the moves back to front!'

Carla added, 'If I'm still here when Tom turns eighteen I'll be waiting to offer him a job as part of our Team!'