A 75 year old Teddington tradition of putting on annual children's party at the National Physical Laboratory is ending - due to a lack of young guests.

Staff at the NPL in Queens Road have been organising children's parties for 75 years, originally as a treat for employees' children but extended in 1948 to needy children in the area.

Last Sunday's jolly up saw 280 youngsters enjoy a £2,500 party day with cakes, ice cream and a variety of games.

Back in 1923 it cost just £5 to provide the spread for the 80 children who turned up.

In recent years, party organisers have worked alongside Richmond Council's social services department to come up with children's names for the parties.

But it seems the traditional jelly and ice cream get togethers just do not cut it with the youngsters.

A spokesman for Richmond Council said: "This kind of organised party is not as popular with the kids as it used to be.

"The numbers attending the parties have been falling over the years."

The parties reached their peak in the 1970s with more than 1,000 party-goers enjoying the fun.

Organiser Colin Lea said: "In addition fewer staff live locally and want to spend their free time organising such events.

"That's why the curtain has come down."

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