Dad and son get to break in paddleboard Christmas present early on flooded Miller Park

Lawrence tries out his Christmas present at Miller Park

A boy from Penwortham was unexpectedly given the chance to break in his Christmas present early due to the heavy rain earlier this week.

Lawrence Chamley, 11, was excited when he got his paddleboard for Christmas but he and dad Robert were not expecting to see it in action until the Spring.

But the heavy rain of New Year’s Day, which did not come without disruption for others, meant that a walk from Penwortham to Miller Park in Preston presented a rare opportunity.

Robert Chamley told Blog Preston: “We heard about the high waters on the Ribble so we cycled down from Penwortham to have a look. I have never, ever seen the waters as high and powerful as that before.

“We were surprised to see Miller Park flooded and forming a large lake-like area. My son Lawrence and I had an idea.”

They quickly returned with the paddleboard and wetsuit and Lawrence was on the water – putting a smile on the faces of passers-by.

Robert added: “He didn’t think he’d get to use it for a while so when an opportunity like this presents itself, you can’t pass it up.

“It was great fun and nice to put a smile on people’s faces. Doubt there will be many chances to do that on Miller Park again any time soon. Within a day, it was back to being a green park.”

The heavy rain may have left Preston but an amber warning for snow is in place this weekend.

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