A CANVEY fun park will go up against Legoland and Peppa Pig World in a national competition to find the best day out for under fives.

Day Out With The Kids, a national website dedicated to family fun days, chose Leisure Island Fun Park, Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, as the winner for East Anglia.

It means the part will represent the region in the Family Favourites Awards 2018.

The popular seafront children’s attraction was shortlisted as one of six in the region before being chosen in the under fives category.

In the grand final the park will be competing against Legoland, Windsor and Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World, among others.

Scott Petty, owner of Leisure Island, said: “I got an e-mail saying we’d been nominated which I wasn’t expecting as I didn’t know anything about it as we hadn’t entered it ourselves.

“Then I had a look to see who we were up against and check out the award.

“Day Out With The Kids is massive.

“It is a national site which thousands of parents use for advice on where is best to go with their kids so it’s really good to have been nominated let alone winning.

“We are really pleased with winning in our region which is by public vote as well.

“We will now go through to the grand finals against Legoland to name one, and the winner will be chosen by a judging panel.

“I think it’s exciting times for Canvey seafront what with the redevelopment, and we are hoping to be a part of it.

“I want to thank everyone who voted, if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be in the position.

“We really appreciate all of our guests and hope that Leisure Island can carry on for many years to come.”

The awards saw 6,500 attractions listed on the site and more than 20,000 votes were cast.

More than 20,000 votes cast before the category winners in each region were announced.

The criteria for entry included having specific rides, activities or other attractions specifically targeted to toddlers, or included other activities or zones more suited to older children.

The leisure park, which is filled with mini-coasters suited to smaller children, and funfair entertainment, describes itself as “a little world of fun, made especially for the youngest adventure-lovers”.

Leisure Island Fun Park also made The Telegraph’s travel writer, Chris Leadbeater’s, list of top ten favourite places for island day trips and holiday breaks back in August this year.

Many customers took to Facebook to congratulate the hard-working, owner, saying: “Well done, although my grandchildren are older now, long may you continue, I used to love taking my grandsons there.”

Another posted, “You and the team well deserve this Scott always praise your business and you.”

The national winners of the Family Favourites Awards are due to be announced today.

For more information on Leisure Island and the attractions on offer, you can visit leisureislandfunpark.com