Funding for park restoration plan

The full restoration is expected to take until 2011

Funding has been secured to kick-start the next stage of a long-term plan to improve two city parks in Lancashire.

The Grade II-listed Avenham and Miller parks in Preston have already undergone initial work as part of a £5m plan to restore them to their former glory.

Now National Lottery funding has been secured to allow plans to be drawn up for further work.

It includes restoration of historic features such as the Japanese Rock Garden and Avenham Walk.

'Unique design'

Councillor Anthony Gornall, the city council's executive member for regeneration, said the funding was "tremendous news".

"We've already made major improvements to the parks including the restoration of features such as the Earl of Darby Statue and Boer War Memorial and construction of the new pavilion with its unique design, which acts as a focal point for the parks," he said.

"However, the tree planting, improvements to the Japanese Rock Garden and landscaping of other historic features will bring the rest of the parks back to their former glory in time for the next Preston Guild in 2012."

Miller Park was built as an extension of Avenham Park in 1863 and named after its financier Alderman Miller.