YOU would think he might have been named Bas Vegas, but the new mascot for Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park is called Bobble.

The big, orange character, with a bowling ball-shaped head, will be hobbling out at public events at the park throughout the summer.

Bobble was the bright idea of nine-year-old Emily Newman Pace, a pupil of St Peter’s RC School, Billericay, who won an Essex-wide competition to design a mascot for the park.

Yesterday, the cuddly character, dressed in his £4,000 costume, visited the school to give Emily a big hug and to hand her a prize cheque for £2,000, which will go towards school funds.

Amanda Mills, spokeswoman for the park, said: “In February, we launched a competition, which was open to all primary schools in Essex, where we asked the children to design a new mascot.

“The best infant design came from Wickford CofE Infant School and the best junior and overall design came from Emily.

“Her creation was fantastic.”

Emily incorporated the park’s attractions when designing Bobble.

She chose to make him a bowling ball character, to represent the Hollywood Bowl, and he wears a headband with stars to mark the park’s five-star logo.

He also carries a box of popcorn in his hand to represent the Empire cinema.

John Peoples, headteacher of St Peter’s School, said: “We held a special assembly where we congratulated Emily for her tremendous effort.

“We put Bobble behind a curtain, then got him to come out as a surprise.

“The reaction from Emily and all the pupils was just amazing. We are very proud of Emily.

“The £2,000 she won for the school will be spent on holding a special activity week here in September.”