STANLEY Park users are being urged to become its friends.

Blackpool Council would like a Friends of Stanley Park group to be set up to boost the resort's largest and most popular park.

Though parts of the park are first class - the Italian Gardens won a Britain in Bloom award last year - other features have been criticised as neglected.

Now the council wants to work in partnership with residents and interested parties to help replace old trees and keep its plants vibrant.

Parks chairman Councillor Roy Lewis said he hoped that by working with park-goers, more improvements can be carried out.

"I call on locals to join forces with the council to breathe new life into Stanley Park," he said.

"Recent criticism has been unfair as a number of projects have improved the park's appearance.

"However, we want to do even more, but we need the help of the townspeople to succeed.

"The council takes great pride in Stanley Park and we wish to keep it looking vibrant and beautiful for future generations."

Schoolchildren from St John Vianney RC Primary and Stanley Park Infants recently joined in the Branching Out for Blackpool scheme, planting 400 trees in the park.

Other schools have joined the Millennium Tree Initiative, looking after trees until 2000 when they will be planted in the park.

Anyone who would like to join forces with Blackpool Council to improve Stanley Park should call the Parks section on 752255.

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