HUNDREDS of balloons were released to celebrate 20 years of the Beavers.

More than 50 children, aged six to eight, let go of the balloons near All Saints Church, Blackheath.

The Lewisham North District Beavers, which is divided into five colonies across the borough, was celebrating 20 years of the organisation's work in the UK.

Lewisham East MP Bridget Prentice and Lewisham Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander also joined in with the celebrations.

There was a picnic and various party games and sales of the balloons helped raise £350.

Beaver leader Lorraine Elliott said: "I thought it was an excellent day, better than I had imagined. The kids were so excited by the balloon release.

"It was also good to get support from Bridget Prentice and Heidi Alexander."