A muddy swamp next to a child’s play area will be transformed into a “wonderful haven for wildlife” – if a campaign group manages to secure £50,000.

Friends of Child’s Hill Park applied for a grant from the National Lottery and will now go head-to-head with another project in South London in the hope of making its dream a reality.

Barnet Borough Council has already agreed to pay the group £7,500 on the condition the group finds the rest of the money from another source.

If successful, the friends group will establish a marsh in the boggy area to create a peaceful spot in a previously unsightly part of the park.

Ingrid Posen, the chairman of Friends of Childs Hill Park, said: “We are incredibly excited about revamping the park as it will be something everyone can enjoy.

“The whole area will be a wonderful haven for wildlife. We hope to attract newts and frogs and other creatures that live in ponds.

“Children from nearby schools will also use it as a space to learn more about plants and trees, and we’ll put up tree stumps for them to sit on.”

Disabled adults who are part of the Harrington Scheme, which trains disadvantaged people in Highgate, will help transform the park.

Voting opens at 9am on Wednesday, November 26 and people will have just one day to cast their ballot by phone.

During the day, members of the group will spend the day canvassing with flags and balloons to gather support.

Ms Posen added: “It’s going to be tense as the phone number isn’t released until the day. We’ve got some stiff competition and we need more than 6,000 votes to win, so we’re staying hopeful.”

The voting line will be published on the Times Series at 9am on November 26.