A SKATEBOARD park and model car racing track are just some of the ambitious plans for improvement to a Southampton park.

But now its future is in the hands of the general public, as it goes head-to-head with a project in Portsmouth.

The ‘Enhancing Daisy Dip’ project put forward by The Flower Roads Residents and Tenants Association has been selected to go forward to a public vote to win lottery funding of up to £50,000.

The park, in Bassett, will battle it out with The Hayling College’s Hi Rock – Hayling Island Rock project on November 23 as part of ITV Meridian’s People’s Millions show.

Jim Cappleman, chairman of the Flower Roads Residents and Tenants Association, said: “There has been a number of concerns by the local population that the park had been left to go to ruin – we’re trying to turn that around.”

If successful, he said Southampton City Council has agreed to match the £50,000 sum.

The People’s Millions gives viewers across the country the chance to choose projects they want to receive funding.

The Daisy Dip proposal aims to provide a safe recreational area with a multi-use games area for sports activities, skateboard park, model car racing track, as well as improved seating and picnic areas.

There are five £50,000 awards on offer – one award for each night, and a bonus award for the runner-up who receives the most phone votes across the week.

Each night from November 22 to November 25 two groups will feature on the ITV programme making their bid for viewers’ support to take home the funding, with the public voting by phone to decide.

Over the past five years the programme has handed out more than £21m to 388 good causes across the UK with more than two million votes cast by the public.

Mr Cappleman appealed to people to pick up the phone.

“We’re in the public’s hands,” he said. “This is a superb opportunity to vastly improve a vastly underused facility.

“This will greatly benefit the children and the whole community.”

Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes welcomed the news.

She said: “Daisy Dip has the potential to be one of the most beautiful open spaces in the city.

“They have held some wonderful events at Daisy Dip, worked hard to raise funds and cultivate a real community spirit.”

Councillor Phil Williams said: “We strongly back residents’ bid to improve Daisy Dip. The council is putting its money where its mouth is and has committed to match fund the project up to a massive £50,000. This is a big commitment at this difficult time. I strongly encourage Southampton residents to get behind and vote for the new multi-use games area at Daisy Dip.”