HEATON Park is to be transformed thanks to a £3.4 million handout from the National Lottery.

The cash will be used to improve security and launches Europe's biggest park on the first phase of a five-year development plan.

Bosses hope for further Lottery grants over the next few months as part of their masterplan for a £30 million facelift.

This award, from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will pay for the installation of closed-circuit television as well as the strengthening of boundary walls, gates and railings.

Work will be carried out on the Smithy Lodge and car park which is to be renovated to bring it up to standard with the newly modernised golf course.

Disused buildings are also to be demolished, and cables and water pipes laid to prepare for future developments.

Ms Theresa Grant, park manager, said: "We are extremely pleased with this first grant and are looking forward to future funding. We need to get all the infrastructure in place so we can do a proper job with the next stage of improvements."

Heaton Park's bid involves different areas covered by the Lottery and so grants will be announced in a number of different phases, but Ms Grant is hopeful this first award indicates a general support for the park's plans.

The money has been boosted by a further £1.143 million from Manchester City Council who masterminded the development plans for the 600-acre park. Coun Richard Leese, council leader, said: "This is an excellent boost, both for the local community, who use the park on a daily basis, and for the wider community as a whole.

"Heaton Park is a real focus for leisure activities across the city and beyond. I am delighted that the Heritage Fund has recognised the importance of this facility."

Mrs Pam Hyde, a Prestwich resident and campaigner for cleaning up the park, welcomed the Lottery money. She said: "People had become afraid of going to Heaton Park because there were so many attacks. Closed-circuit television should make visitors feel more secure and I'm very glad security is the first issue to be tackled.

"It is just what I had wanted and I'm delighted because it will make more people use the park. I only hope it's just the beginning."

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis is also backing plans for the park's development. He said: "This is excellent news not only for the many thousands of people who live in the area. I hope it will contribute to making the park successful and accessible to more people."

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