COMEDIAN Phil Jupitus opened a brand new play centre for children with cerebral palsy in Corringham today.

The £150,000 centre, at the back of the Thurrock & District Cerebral Palsy Society’s charity shop on Lampits Hill, offers a learning and play facility for children with cerebral palsy from birth to 11-years-old, as well as a meeting place for adult members of the society.

Mr Jupitus, who lives in Leigh-On-Sea, is best known for his regular slot on the BBC’s comedy panel game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

After cutting the red ribbon to officially open the centre Mr Jupitus spent more than two hours talking to guests and posing for photographs with the children.

He has now decided to become the patron of the charity and the Kids First School of Conductive Education, based in the centre.

Carol Day, consultant for Kids First at the centre said: “Phil got involved with the centre as his dad Bob Jupitus is our chartered surveyor, he has met the children before and has now decided to become the patron of both charities.

“We would like to thank Phil Jupitus for his voluntary support, and Bob Jupitus our chartered surveyor for his design of the building and ongoing commitment to the charity.

“We’d also like to thank Nick Morely and his associates at Brookmore Building Contractors in Southend.

She added: “We are still in need of funds to support our ongoing commitments on the building and our ongoing expenses in the future, so any donations will be so much appreciated.”

Mrs Day also said that the centre would be inviting all the organisations and people who contributed funds to make the centre possible to a special viewing of the centre at some point in the future.