A VICTORIAN park in Blackburn was transported back in time to celebrate the completion of a £3.8million improvement project.

Corporation Park has been restored to its 1857 splendour - and at a special re-opening ceremony visitors were treated to Victorian-themed entertainment.

Proud residents were invited to see how the park had been improved thanks to lottery cash.

Special entertainment included jugglers, magicians, a brass band and a Punch and Judy show.

Sections of the park had been closed to allow the work to take place since the cash windfall was announced in 2001.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council cut the ribbon to celebrate the re-opening of the park, which fronts onto Preston New Road near Blackburn town centre.

She said: "It was absolutely wonderful.

"I felt very proud. It was great to see it finished and to see the members of the community who had helped with the bid.

"It has been restored to the Victorian state it used to be in.

"Everyone was amazed at how open it was.

"That was something that was very important because it had to feel welcoming."

She said the park's fountains, atrium and drainage system had particularly benefited from the cash.

The garden of remembrance, pavilions and gardens were also renovated.

The bid was warmly received when it was announced in April 2001.

The 65-acre park had been plagued by violence and vandalism, which prompted to council to apply for the cash.

The park was created at a cost of £14,702 and opened in 1857.

It is listed as grade two on the English Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest.