A CHILDREN'S crusade marched through Christchurch yesterday to petition the council to provide more play areas in the Grange ward of the borough.

Placard-waving year-six pupils from the Somerford Community Primary School presented their 600-name petition and a file of their own "persuasive letters" to chief executive Mike Turvey on the steps of the civic offices.

A dozen of the youngsters, led by school council chairman Daniel Message, 11, returned to the council chamber last night to address the council and formally hand the petition to mayor Cllr Josephine Spencer.

Their plea for play facilities was referred to the council's community services committee, which is meeting tonight to consider a new play strategy and action plan.

Councillors are being asked to support two priority projects, including a scheme for the Grange ward, in a bid for funding from the BIG Lottery.

Options for the Grange ward include a play area located on the Grange School campus for children over eight, facilities for younger children within the grounds of the adjoining primary school, and an activities area for teenagers on the Watermans Park recreation ground in Dorset Road.

Somerford primary head Jocelyn Smail, who accompanied the children, said: "We believe there is an urgent need for play facilities for children in Somerford and the Grange as they are currently in danger playing in our streets."

"We are asking the council to provide the same facilities as for children in other parts of Christchurch."

Cllr Spencer, said: "This is a very important issue and I trust that, following the meeting, we will be able to provide an almost immed-iate response to the petition."

"It is good to see that the children are concerned enough to bring in a petition, and I can assure them that this is something we take very seriously."