STAFF from a community playground in Southampton are to visit London to take part in the National Lottery's 10th birthday celebrations.

Three play workers from the Weston Community Play-ground, which was rebuilt after more than 25 years thanks to a £500,000 grant from lottery chiefs, will be among the grant winners from across the country joining in the celebrations in the capital on November 6.

To win their place at the birthday party, the playground team had to submit a 100-word story or poem and an object relating to their successful lottery funding.

The team - Trish Liddan, Jackii Clowes and Denise Clowes - came up with a child-friendly poem about the hole in their roof, which was rep-aired thanks to the funding.

"The team thought it was fitting that we did a child-friendly poem so all the children could remember it and understand the hard work everyone put in to realising the dream of our splendid playground," said Trish.

The poem was sent in along with a piece of rusty metal - to represent the state of the roof - helping the team win their place in the celebrations.

"We are delighted to be representing the play team at the event," said Trish. "We are looking forward to thanking lottery organisers for their futuristic vision in granting us this money."

The new open-access playground was finally completed in February this year, after additional funding was secured from the Outer Shirley Regeneration scheme, Sure Start and the Children's Fund. Among the wide range of activities available are sports facilities, arts and crafts, computer games, outdoor play equipment and an aerial runway.