DISNEY characters and creepy crawlies have helped to mark a Chipping Sodbury shopping district’s first birthday.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse thrilled young customers at Hatherell’s Yard, which celebrated the first anniversary of its opening on Saturday (August 1), and Bristol Zoo staff brought along mini beasts for visitors to touch and hold.

Hatherell’s Yard market manager Lianne Abbott said the event went really well.

“It was really good,” she said. “It went better than I had expected.

“Mickey and Minnie were brilliant and the zoo was bombarded from the minute they got there until they left.

“We had fantastic entertainment and we have had some fantastic feedback from customers and all the traders.”

The yard was opened to encourage shoppers at a new Waitrose supermarket on Barnhill Quarry to walk to the High Street and use the town’s facilities. It features four shops, permanent wooden shed units and a pop-up market which opens every Friday and Saturday.

Mrs Abbott, who owns Koala Kreations which occupies one of the shed units, said the past year had been a great success and the popularity of Saturday’s event could lead to more activities in the yard.

“It is a great area for it,” she said. “There is certainly the potential for more events and plans are being drawn up to continue the yard’s success with a 14-day Christmas market in December.”