In Pictures: CBeebies star Mr Bloom entertains children at Telford

Ben Faulks, who appears in a shed full of talking vegetables on CBeebies, has also gained an army of admirers among the mothers of his young fans.

Scores of them flocked to Telford Shopping Centre with their children on Saturday, where Sherwood Square was transformed into an Easter garden.

Mr Bloom spent time demonstrating fun ways to inspire kids to learn about nature and the environment.

And Shropshire Star competition winners met the man himself following his performance. Among the lucky few were Mia Williams, three, and four-year-old Imogen Thomas and her one-year-old brother, Jimmy. Imogen told Mr Bloom that her dad John was a gardener, while Mia, of Hadley in Telford, drew the TV star a picture of her and him together.

Imogen's mother Beth, 32, said: "I think I was more excited than the kids to meet him. A lot of the mums seem to like Mr Bloom. I didn't expect to win the competition. I entered it because they just love his TV show."

After her chat with her favourite TV character, Mia said: "I love his wellies. I've got some like that."

Heidi Rowe, from Lilleshall, who took her little daughter Violet-Lilly to see the show, said all the local mothers were very excited to meet the TV star. "We've been joking about whether the event is more for the mums or the kids – he's got quite a following of admirers," she said.

Jayne Fletcher, 30, said Mr Bloom was the reason that her three-year-old daughter Ellie-Mai Moorman started to eat broccoli.

Jayne said: "She wouldn't touch it before, but now she loves it." The pair, of Donnington in Telford, were there with Ellie-Mai's baby brother,and dad, Allan.

Mr Bloom said: "I had a great time visiting Telford Shopping Centre today, and it was lovely to meet all the little tiddlers who came along to join in the fun."

The shopping centre is running activities throughout the Easter holidays.