PENHILL people want their National Lottery cash to be spent on parks and safe places for their children to play.

Yesterday it was announced that Penhill is to get £818,000 of lottery cash to spend on community projects.

And shoppers at Penhill's Braydon Court precinct came up with similar ideas on how the money should be spent. People want more open spaces and play areas, and they want Penhill Park to be restored.

The park formerly had a cafe and paddling pool but both were removed after being targeted by vandals.

Stacey Burgess, 19, an auxiliary nurse, said: "We need more parks and we could do with a youth centre because the kids have nothing to do except hang around shops."

Schoolworker Susan Goodwin, 43, from Penhill Drive, said: "We need a decent park. Bring our paddling pool back I used to play in that when I was little."

Carol Mitchell, from Denton Road, said: "There used to be six or seven parks when I moved here 15 years ago; now there's only one. I think they should have a big open space to play football and cricket."

Amanda Caswell, 31, from Fyfield Avenue, said: "We need more parks and play areas. I've got a son of 13 and we could do with something for kids of his age to do."

Pepe Lavagna, 46, has five children and lives in Latton Close. He said: "The council's answer to vandalism is to close everything. "There's too many kids now who just around because they haven't got anywhere to go or anything to do."