Fathers and children think outside the box

To create the house they stacked and taped large removal boxes to each other and made tunnels and passages within them.

The event was organised by Elms Road Children's Centre's Saturdads, a monthly group for fathers and children living in Botley.

Saturdad volunteer Paul Fisher, who came up with the idea, said, 'At Christmas, children get more fun out of the box a gift has come in than the gift itself.

'We thought that building a house from cardboard boxes would be a great shared activity for the children and their dads.'

Mr Fisher acquired most of the boxes from Freecycle, a network where people can exchange goods for free. He also approached a local storage company who donated some large boxes.

The Saturdads group, established three years ago, encourages fathers to spend more quality time with their children in a fun and secure environment.

Different activities and outings are laid on every month. Recently the group visited a fire station and a farm where they learned how to make their own butter.

Around 40 to 50 fathers attend the four-hour sessions.

Children's centre co-ordinator Sue Dowe, who helps run the group, is also on hand to answer any questions the fathers have.

Mr Fisher started as a Saturdad volunteer after attending the group with his two young children, aged one and four.

He hopes that next year the group can build something even bigger and better and enter their attempt in the Guinness Book of World Records.