A BID of almost £500,000 to put the heart back into Rhyddings Park has been applauded as "inspired" and "exciting."

Artist's impressions have been revealed of the shape of things to come in Oswaldtwistle if a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful. Rhyddings has been plagued by vandalism, including three major arson attacks in two years.

Hyndburn leisure services committee was told the proposed package would be a new start, with improved facilities for tots and teenagers, families and the retired. The masterplan is based on creating four distinct areas - Playscape, Gardenscape, Wildscape and Eventscape.

Proposals include a resited bowls house made of Accrington brick, designed to deter vandals and topped by a clock. The refurbished coach house would be a playgroup base, as well as housing toilets and a refreshment kiosk.

The old playgroup pavilion would be demolished and a water feature created on the site.

The folly would be restored with a viewing platform overlooking a wildlife pond. National Lottery money will fund 75 per cent of the cost with the council and its partners picking up the remaining £123,840.

Committee chairman Coun Ian Ormerod said: "Even if we are not successful in our bid for lottery funding, improvements at Rhyddings Park will still happen but over a longer timescale."

The bid has been put together by the council working in partnership with the county council, youth and community service, local police, Groundwork East Lancashire and the local community.

The chairman of Friends of Rhyddings Park, Neil Wolstenholme, said: "The interest and enthusiasm that the scheme has already generated is a testimony to the will of local people to get involved for the benefit of the whole community.

Police superintendent Malcolm Rawcliffe said: "Providing facilities which people want will always help to reduce anti-social behaviour and vandalism."

Council leader George Slynn wished the bid well but urged early consideration of the revenue consequences and how the council would protect its investment.

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