MORE than 1,000 children with special needs have been given a special day out at Paultons Park.

The children, from Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex were given their treat as part of the Rotary Kids Out day being run throughout the UK by more that 500 Rotary and Rotaract clubs.

At Ower-based Paultons Park the 1,147 youngsters were looked after by 1,060 helpers from around 40 clubs in the district.

As well as being treated to meals sponsored by Littlewoods, in conjunction with Granada Foods, they were given the chance to try out Paultons' brand new attraction, the Raging River Ride, as well as the park's established favourites.

While some headed for the Rio Grande train, others opted for the bumper boats, the Honda cars, the Aqua bugs and the Krazi Karts.

"It is an ideal place for us and it is hard to find somewhere better to occupy the children for a whole day," said Rotary's event co-ordinator, Southampton University professor Roy Stainton of Hamble Valley Rotary Club.

And district governor Jack Leyland commented: "There is something for all the children whatever their special needs may be. We are always made very welcome here.

"And the kids themselves are super. I pushed a little lad round all day in his wheelchair last year and he wasn't able to speak. "But he had a machine on his wheelchair and at the end of the day, he punched out a message which said 'Thank you for a lovely day.' For me, that said it all and that is the kind of thing that makes it so worthwhile for all the peo-ple who help."

For more super pictures of the fun day see tonight's Echo.

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