CHILDREN at Newton Poppleford are backing the village s bid in The Peoples Millions Lottery to win �50,000 for new play park equipment.

CHILDREN at Newton Poppleford are backing the village's bid in The Peoples' Millions Lottery to win �50,000 for new play park equipment.

On Tuesday they, and others involved in the national competition, were filmed by ITV West Country news before Newton Poppleford Playing Field Foundation Managing Trustees (the Parish Council), goes head-to-head on television with Berrow Parish, Somerset, which has a similar project, on Monday, November 23.

Newton Poppleford residents are being urged to vote for the village in a bid to secure �50,000 for the Back Lane play park, whose equipment is in dire need of replacement, with pieces being condemned.

Details of how to vote will be available on the website at www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/regions/westcountry and on the parish council website www.newtonpopplefordpc.co.uk and you can only vote on the day of the contest (Nov 23), between 9am and midnight.

Councillor Shan Merritt has appealed to residents saying: "This project really needs your support as much of the old play equipment is now unsafe, and the children of the area need somewhere safe, but exciting, to play."

Calls will cost 10p and up to 10 can be made from the same landline. The scheme receiving the most votes will win.

David Zirker, who submitted paperwork for a lottery grant said: "The school has been very supportive as well as the playgroup and toddlers. Children are the lifeblood of the village and if we don't attract them into the village it will become a retirement village.

"The play equipment doesn't cater for toddlers and is pretty boring. The message overall is if we want to win then residents have to ring in and vote."

He said 1,000 homes would be leafleted on Monday morning with the number to call.

There are 400 0-16 year-olds living in Newton Poppleford and Harpford.

The village has a four in six chance of winning �50,000.

"This is money we will not raise in other ways," said Mr Zirker. "Any contributions would be gratefully received.