THE future of a popular Hyndburn park could lie in the hands of local residents, if a community action group gets off the ground.

Hyndburn Council has been approached by several local people concerned about the state of Gatty Park in Church.

They have decided to set up a Friends of Gatty Park to improve the area after expressing concern about the poor state of facilities in the park and the limited public access.

The residents interested in creating the group were meeting last night to appoint a committee to set about improving the park.

Andrew Hayhurst, Hyndburn's parks and open spaces officer said: "We were first contact by groups of people, including the Church Prospects Panel, the local residents association and other concerned people about the potential for Gatty Park to fall into decline.

"They are keen to establish a Friends of Gatty Park with the intention of reviewing current and future use of Gatty Park and carrying out improvements in the park in a controlled and manageable way to meet the needs to local community.

"The group have accepted that the council may not be in a position to assist financially but have asked for our help."

Not only would the new group mean there was more community input into the way the park is looked after, it could also result in extra funding for the facility.

Coun Ian Ormerod said: "We should welcome the creation of such organisations. We have seem similar ones work in Rhyddings Park and Mercer Park with varying degrees of success.

"The best thing is that these community groups can apply for funding from sources councils do not have access to which can only be a good thing for the community."

Church councillor Marion Raynor added: "It is important to get as many people involved as possible."

Councillors voted to ask officers to help support the new group. POOR FACILITIES: Gatty Park has room for improvement