A BRIERLEY Hill mum is hoping to win a garden makeover and give her autistic daughter a safe environment to play in.

Vicky Fairley, of Gordon Crescent, has entered a competition via www.mybuilder.com and is in with a chance of winning £1,000 to transform her garden for Shayla, aged seven, who has severe autism, global development delay and pica – a disorder that causes her to eat substances with no nutritional value.

Describing their current garden, Mrs Fairley said: “It is weeds, rubble and grass out there and with Shayla having pica, she eats everything out there, which her paediatrician has said is causing her to have low iron levels.

“We have already spent a ridiculous amount to get it to a basic safe standard for her."

The family want to cover the garden with artificial grass and have been quoted £3,000 for the work to be done.

Half of the cash has been collected through fundraising but Mrs Fairley, aged 29, said winning the competition and being able to get the work done would "mean everything”.

She said her daughter, who attends Old Park School "loves to get outside and play" but added: "It is not something she has been able to do since we moved to this house three years ago.

“She is unable to play in the street with other children as she has the mentality of an infant and also has no awareness of dangers.”

People can vote for the family until May 27 by clicking here.