A St Albans charity has announced a big push to help raise £200,000 to renovate a city playground.

Verulamium at Play is organising a May Day play day, and hoping for sponsorship from the St Albans half marathon.

Its founder, Cllr Jessica Chivers, said: “I think these events are great, and it is an added bonus that it raises money for the charity.

“I would love to see people come along so neighbours can come together, and do something great at the same time.

“I will be down there on May Day for a couple of hours, and I know a couple of volunteers will be as well.”

The May Day Play Day is being held on Monday, May 1, between 12pm and 6pm, at the White Lion pub.

The event, supported by local business Rock Pop Candy, will have a bouncy castle, food, and games.

Verulamium at Play is also asking participants in the St Albans half marathon to support them.

An expected 7,000 runners will take part in the event, being held on Sunday, June 11 at Verulamium Park.

As a registered charity, runners can pick Verulamium at Play as the charity they wish to sponsor.

Local businesses running teams in the event are also being urged to register their support.

The organisation is led by a group of parents and local people, with the support of the district council.

They want to revamp the 30-year-old Verulamium Park playground, which has retained its original layout.

They need to raise the £200,000 by the summer of 2018 in order to relaunch the park in spring 2019.

Cllr Chivers said: “The team is working so hard, talking to different businesses and people, trying to do things that people want to get involved in.

“We hope doing these events encourages people to get involved.”

A total of £50,000 has already been raised, and the next 18 months have been dedicated to fundraising.

They have also recently benefited from an anonymous £15,000 donation, and £1,000 from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

To find out more about the charity, visit www.facebook.com/Verulamiumatplay