SAINTS players took a break from training - to play on the rides at Paultons Park.

Virtually the whole squad joined in the fun when an army of Southampton's taxi drivers took children from three of the city's special schools - Mordaunt House, Hope Lodge and Ridgeway House - to the park at Ower, near Romsey.

The youngsters beamed with delight as their heroes turned up with posters and memorabilia before joining them on Paultons' newest attraction, the Stinger rollercoaster.

Saints Captain Jason Dodd, who has had his own ups and downs recently, said: "It was pouring down but the weather turned out nice which was a relief.

"We enjoy spending a couple of hours down here with the kids and we love to have a go on the rides. But all this wouldn't be possible without the taxi drivers who have organised it. We've just come along for the play time."

Defender Jason, whose baby daughter Lucy was born with heart problems, added: "You really know how lucky you are. We've had problems with our little one and I met someone whose daughter was in the children's ward when we were."

For young Shabir Sumra, 16, who goes to Ridgeway House school in Peartree Avenue, it was a chance to join his favourite team on his favourite rides.

"I really like Matt Le Tissier because he makes me laugh with funny jokes," he said after a spell on the rollercoaster.

Francis Benali, who also dived into the action, said: "We've been doing this for a large number of years and we all look forward to playing our small part - and it gets us out of training."

Yesterday was the 11th annual event organised by Alan Scammell, who runs Shack Taxi Stationary.

He said: "It's a chance for the taxi drivers in Southampton to do their bit and they really enjoy it. Some of the minibus drivers have been great - they donated their time right at the last minute."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.