ALLOA town centre was packed with more than 200 children enjoying the highly anticipated Dino Day.

Spike the Spinosaurus, Bruno the T-Rex and Neo the Neovenator were among the dinosaurs roaming the high street for Alloa First’s prehistoric themed family event.

Visitors enjoyed an action-packed day of dinosaur and fossil arts and crafts, face painting and temporary tattoos.

Mill Street also hosted a fantastic mini fairground full of children’s rides, bungee trampolines and fun games such as hook a duck.

Diane Brown, Alloa First BID manager, was delighted with the response to the event, which has been built up throughout August.

She said: “Alloa First Dino Day 2023 was a huge success both with the public and most of our local businesses.

“Some businesses reported trading figures similar to that of the annual Christmas Switch On event, which is exactly what we set out to achieve.

“Events such as Dino Day are vital to not only help increase footfall in the town centre, so that businesses can capitalise on the influx of people, but also showcase what Alloa has to offer so they hopefully return.”

Dino Day was the culmination of a month’s worth of events held in the town centre by Alloa First including upcycling an old t shirt into a stuffed toy or kids author events.

The event is part of Alloa First’s plans to increase visitors to the town centre, with Dino Day drawing in families from Edinburgh, Dunfermline, St Andrews and even as far as Peterhead.

David Thomson, manager of Aitken’s Butcher, echoed Diane’s comments and reported a high amount of trade during Dino Day.

“Events like Dino Day certainly benefit our business,” David said. “We had many new faces in the shop which resulted in a great day’s trading.

“As a business, we are very community focused and really enjoy events in the town that provide a fun and exciting experience for children.

“It was great to see the town so busy with lots of happy families.”

Alloa First is approaching the end of its third term as a BID, with ballot papers issued to businesses in the town centre for the pivotal vote.

Businesses have until Thursday, October 5 to cast their vote and the results will be revealed on Friday, October 6.