A MILLION pound plan to breathe new life into a crime hit Blackburn park has hit trouble at the first hurdle.

Town hall bosses put together a £987.000 package of improvements in a bid to bring the public back to Corporation Park, and A detailed bid was sent to the National Lottery last summer.

But a reply received this week from lottery officials says the scheme is of interest but still needs further work.

It adds the bid should concentrate more on the heritage and historic aspects of the package.

The bid came after the playing fields hit the headlines on a series of occasions following complaints about sex pests, vandalism and drug taking.

Blackburn Borough Council hoped lottery cash would help pay for a major revamp including a refurbishment of the Victorian band stand, aviary and toilet blocks. The scheme is also being backed by local residents who set up a Park Watch group in a bid to drive crime out of the once popular park.

But town hall planners still believe their attempt for funding is still "live" and plan to press forward with the application.

The National Lottery has also advised the council to take on a specialist consultant to help push their case.

A consultant is likely to cost around £20,000, but grants are available to fund 75 per cent of the cost leaving the council with a bill for £5,000.

A report to the community and leisure committee reads: "It is quite clear the bid is still "live".

It adds that though there is no guarantee the production of a restoration plan would lead to a successful bid, it is quite clear it the only way forward.

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